UK Retailer Gets New CEO

Officials from leading UK retailer GAME have announced that the company has appointed Lisa Morgan as its new CEO and is due to take up her post at the end of the month. Morgan replaces existing CEO Martin Long, who will “continue to be available to support the group until January 2007". Long has worked at the company for thirteen years, during which time the company has expanded from sixteen UK stores to nearly 800 stores in eight different countries. Morgan previously held the role of deputy chief executive, with group finance director David Thomas moving into that position as well as retaining his existing role. Morgan joined GAME in 1997, becoming an executive three years later and deputy CEO in January 2004. Chairman Peter Lewis said: “The board is confident that a combination of Lisa’s retail experience, aligned with David Thomas’ city and financial background, will ensure that GAME is well placed to deliver on its UK and international growth plans.” The new appointments come in advance of a major rebranding for the company’s UK stores, in time for the Christmas gift buying season and the launch of the Wii and, next year, the PlayStation 3. The appointments also follow a positive set of financial results for the company, in which pre-tax losses were cut by almost a half, despite considerable expansion.