Majors

Seb Hobbs Heads Back to Signet’s UK Division

MajorsMay 30, 2019

Seb Hobbs Heads Back to Signet’s UK Division

He will serve as interim director before departing the company June 30, as was previously announced.

London—Sebastian Hobbs is headed back to Signet Jewelers’ London office, serving as interim managing director of the U.K. operation, the company confirmed Wednesday.

Hobbs spent the first six of his eight years with Signet working in London for the retailer’s U.K division before moving to the company’s headquarters in Akron, Ohio and serving for two years as president and chief commercial officer.

An 8-K filing made in April revealed that Hobbs would step down from his position as of April 4 but stay on as an advisor until the end of June.

Hobbs still plans to depart the company by June 30 but is returning to the U.K. to step in for Emma Hayward, who became executive director in 2017, replacing Hobbs at the time due to his move to Akron.

The company will eliminate the position of executive director of its U.K. division and bring back the position of managing director, Signet Vice President of Corporate Affairs David Bouffard told National Jeweler.

A search is underway for the next permanent managing director of Signet’s U.K. division, which oversees operations of H.Samuel and Ernest Jones stores.

Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

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