Sunderland furniture firm ScS has new faces in the boardroom

The firm’s new management structure sees Kevin Royal, formerly group sales director, appointed as the new managing director, and former HR director Marie Liston become corporate services director, while Chris Muir joins the firm as chief financial officer.

Kevin joined ScS in 1981 as a trainee store manager, when it was purely a North East-based retailer, and has played an instrumental role in expansion of the group’s retail division.

Marie, who has been with the group for 15 years, will continue to oversee HR operations and will also have responsibility for customer service, internal audit, health and safety and regulatory compliance.

Chris arrives from Northgate plc and will have responsibility for IT, business reporting and company secretarial matters.

Kevin said: “These are very exciting times for the group and all of our employees,” said Kevin. “In the past five years we have seen our share of the UK sofa market grow.

“The introduction of flooring to our business has made us a unique national retailer and this has enabled us to grow our sales per square foot.”

The firm has also started the search for three additional directors in key roles; sales, brand development and commercial.

All three of the new appointments will report to ScS chief executive David Knight.

“These appointments clearly demonstrate our commitment to planning for the group’s future, developing all areas of our business further and enabling us to maximise opportunities for growth,” he said.

“We’re also looking to further strengthen our management team with the appointment of three new director roles, in order to support our growth plans.

“I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate both Kevin and Marie on their new appointments, which are recognition of their continued hard work and dedication to the group, as well as officially extending a warm welcome to Chris who joined us recently.”