A North East homeware brand undergoing a major evolution has appointed an experienced retail leader to guide its next phase of growth. The Bazaar Group, now trading as icon, has named former Bravissimo chief executive Leanne Cahill as its new CEO. The icon CEO appointment 2025 marks a pivotal transition for the business, coinciding with its rebrand and the founder’s shift into a non executive role.
Cahill brings a long track record in retail and financial services, beginning her career on the shop floor at M&S before progressing through roles at Legal & General, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Travelex. She joined Bravissimo in 2017 and became chief executive in 2020, leading the lingerie retailer through a successful trade sale to Wacoal Europe in 2024. Alongside her corporate career, she serves as chancellor of the University of Sunderland, the first chancellor to be born and raised in the city and an alumna of the institution. These achievements form a strong backdrop to the icon CEO appointment 2025 and underline the calibre of leadership now joining the company.
Her appointment signals the full transition of founder and former CEO Mark Dolder into a non executive director role. Icon founder Jayne Dolder said: “The search for our new CEO was exacting, and we’re so thrilled to have found someone like Leanne, who can bring deep levels of retail experience to us at what is a crucial and exciting time in our evolution. Our brand transition from Beanbag Bazaar to icon marks our dedication to creating a more diverse and considered homewares brand that customers will get to know and trust for comfort in the home. I’m so pleased that Leanne, a fantastic role model for all women in business, will be taking forward the company that I started from a kitchen table 20 years ago.” Her words highlight why the icon CEO appointment 2025 is a defining moment for the company’s identity and growth strategy.
Cahill herself expressed enthusiasm about joining the business and said: “I am delighted to join the team at icon as we embark on our next chapter. I’ve been so impressed with the talent, ambition and clear strengths of the business and can’t wait to work with everyone to leverage the growth opportunities ahead. It’s an exciting time for icon and for the North East too it feels great to be here.” Her comments capture the optimism surrounding the icon CEO appointment 2025 and its potential impact on the wider region.
Craig Wilkinson, non executive chairman, added that her background and skills make her a fitting successor as the business continues to build on strong growth since opening its European manufacturing and distribution hub in September 2022. With the icon CEO appointment 2025, the company is positioning itself to deepen its retail presence and accelerate its homeware brand expansion.
