N Brown hires former LEGO ecommerce chief Arfan Sabir to lead trading and marketing

Manchester-based fashion and retail group N Brown has appointed Arfan Sabir as trading and marketing director.

The role is new and brings the group’s marketing and trading teams under one leader for the first time. The group says the integrated set-up will sharpen its focus on commercial trading opportunities, improve the customer experience and speed up growth.

Sabir has spent more than 25 years growing and reshaping digital and omnichannel businesses, and helping traditional retailers become customer-centric, digital-led operations.

He has held senior ecommerce roles at retailers including Mothercare, Dreams and LEGO, where he led ecommerce globally as global director. Most recently he was vice president of ecommerce at global electronics distributor Avnet.

Dene Jones, chief executive of retail at N Brown, said: “The creation of the trading and marketing director role reflects our commitment to driving commercial excellence and delivering an outstanding customer experience. Arfan’s proven track record in omni-channel digital transformation and growth makes him the ideal person to lead this combined function, and we are excited to welcome him to the business.”

Sabir said: “I’m thrilled to be joining N Brown at such an exciting time. Bringing trading and marketing together will ensure an even sharper focus on commercial trading opportunities, while delivering a cohesive and customer-focused approach that drives growth and strengthens the Group’s market position.”

N Brown is a top 10 UK digital retailer of clothing and footwear and also sells homeware. It employs more than 1,200 people across the country.

Its brands include JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo, and it says it aims “to make our customers look and feel amazing”, with a focus on inclusion and serving under-served customers. Its offer is supported by financial services designed to give customers choice, affordability and value.