Card Factory snaps up new CFO Kris Lee from Edinburgh Woollen Mill

Specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings and gifts Card Factory announced the appointment of Kristian (Kris) Lee to the board as chief financial officer on Thursday.

The FTSE 250 firm said Lee came with “extensive experience” in senior financial and commercial roles in the retail sector.

For the past five years, he was group CFO of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group - a privately owned retailer with more than 1,000 UK stores across a number of brands including The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Peacocks, Austin Reed, Country Casuals, Viyella, Jane Norman and Ponden Home.

The role encompassed wide commercial and strategic responsibilities including finance, IT, e-commerce, distribution, mergers and acquisitions, and business turnarounds, the board reported.

Prior to joining The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, he held senior finance roles at Brighthouse Retail, General Healthcare Group and Caudwell Group.

He also spent 14 years at Allsports Retail and the John David Group - now JD Sports Fashion.

Lee was succeeding Darren Bryant who, as Card Factory announced on 26 January, was to retire from the role after eight years with the group.

The appointment would take effect at a date to be agreed once his departure date from Edinburgh Woollen Mill had been finalised.

Lee's current employment terms include a twelve month notice period.

“In Kris, we have found an outstanding successor to Darren who has made a significant contribution to the sustained growth of Card Factory over the past eight years and leaves with our best wishes for the future,” said CEO Karen Hubbard.

“Kris has significant financial and commercial experience within retail and a clear passion for the sector.

“He also has the energy, drive and entrepreneurial mindset that will fit well with the Card Factory culture and will be invaluable as we move forward with our growth strategy.”

Kris Lee said Card Factory had a “fantastic track record” of growth and was a business he had “admired greatly” for a number of years.

“I am very excited to be joining and look forward to working with Karen, the board and all Card Factory colleagues.”