Nigel Blow, who was long-serving Harrods executive under Mahomed Al Fayed, will not become the CEO of department store Fenwick despite being set to start this month.
In July, Fenwick announced Nigel Blow would become its Chief Executive Officer, effective from October 2024. He was set to take over from John Edgar, after he spent four and a half years at the helm.
The new appoint was supposed to be part of Fenwick’s transformation plans, which sold its Bond Street store last year to re-invest in its Newcastle flagship and digital strategy, as well as expanding in other areas including its restaurant offering.
Nigel Blow worked at Harrods from 1992 to 2007 when the luxury London store was owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, who has recently faced sexual assault allegations despite his passing at age 94 last year.
He joined Harrods as a Merchandise Controller in 1992, later rising to Chief Merchant, in 2003, which earned him a seat on the board.
Last month, the BBC released a documentary based on the accounts of more than 20 women who said they had been sexually assaulted or raped by Al Fayed while working at Harrods.
However, when Blow was requested for comment on multiple occasions throughout September, he refused. Following this, Fenwick told the BBC: “Nigel Blow has informed us that he will no longer be taking up this position.”
No reason for the decision has been given.
Since working at Harrods, Blow joined Irish retailer Brown Thomas in 2007. In 2013 he became Managing Director of shirt maker Turnbull and Asser – another Fayed company. In 2019 he became the CEO of department store chain Morleys – a position he has held since.
