Trading director Barry Williams promoted to managing director as part of the changes. 

As reported by Retail Week, value retailer Poundland, acquired last year by Steinhoff, a South African conglomerate, has launched retail operations in the south of France. Five stores have been opened under the chain’s Dealz name, in an effort to expand its European business over the next 18 months. The retailer already has existing Dealz stores in Spain.

In addition to the promotion of Barry Williams to managing director, Poundland’s finance director Roy Ellis has been given additional responsibilities as group services director. Both will report to Pepkor CEO Sean Cardinaal, whose remit has been expanded to oversee the Poundland business. It is understood that the reshuffle will free up chairman Andy Bond to focus on the firms ‘big-picture’ strategy.

Austin Cooke and Marcin Langowski have been appointed newly created roles, and will be heading up the growth of Dealz in western Europe and central and eastern Europe respectively – demonstrative of the group’s  determination to grow this part of its business.