H&M Veteran Henrik Nordvall Tapped as Matalan's New CEO

Matalan has made a significant announcement regarding its leadership, appointing Henrik Nordvall as its new Chief Executive Officer. While the news signals a pivotal moment for the fashion and homewares retailer, Nordvall is not expected to officially join the company until February of next year.

Nordvall brings a wealth of experience to Matalan, having spent the last 17 years with the Swedish retail giant, H&M. For just over three years, he has served as the Country Manager/CEO for H&M UK and Ireland, a crucial market for the brand as the third-largest globally. His extensive background in apparel retail is anticipated to be a considerable asset to Matalan as it navigates its future strategic direction.

This appointment marks a new chapter following a period of interim leadership at Matalan. Executive Chair Karl-Heinz Holland has been at the helm since October of last year, stepping in after the departure of CEO Jo Whitfield, who had led the company for 18 months. Upon Nordvall's arrival in February 2026, Holland will transition back to his previous role as Chair of the Board, ensuring a smooth leadership handover.

The announcement of Nordvall's appointment comes on the heels of a robust first-half performance for Matalan. The business reported a strong financial showing, with pre-IFRS16 EBITDA climbing by an impressive 69% to £34 million in the six months ending August 30, 2025, underscoring a positive trajectory for the company.

This commendable performance was primarily driven by strategic initiatives, including significant margin expansion and a rigorous focus on cost control. Matalan's commitment to its strategic goals is evident in its ongoing store refresh programme, with upgraded locations consistently outperforming the rest of the estate by 14%, highlighting the success of these investments.

Reflecting on his career, Nordvall shared his deep appreciation for his time at H&M on LinkedIn, stating, "17 years ago, fresh out of university, I joined a company I have deeply and fundamentally loved working for… It has been a true honour to work for H&M all these years." Looking ahead to his new role, he expressed equal enthusiasm in Matalan's official statement: "I am thrilled to join Matalan as the new CEO. [It] is on a very exciting journey on delivering everyday style, quality and value to their customers and I am excited to start contributing to the business."