Footwear retailer Schuh has appointed former Footasylum Chief Financial Officer Nick Scott to the same role, as it continues to reshape its leadership team under president Tomas Petersson.
Scott will join the Genesco-owned retailer on 2 November, succeeding David Gillan-Reid, who has worked at Schuh for 28 years, including the past decade as CFO.
He brings more than 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience across retail, fashion and manufacturing, having most recently served as CFO of sports and streetwear retailer Footasylum from 2023 until April 2026.
During his three years at Footasylum, Scott helped oversee the business under private equity ownership, including refinancing to support growth, accelerating store expansion and investing in digital operations.
Before joining Footasylum, he was Chief Operating Financial Officer at Baird Group between 2018 and 2023. The group owns Suit Direct and holds the UK licences for Ben Sherman and Ted Baker formalwear.
Scott said: “Schuh is a brand with real heritage in UK footwear and a deep connection to youth culture. For more than four decades, it has stayed relevant by staying close to its customers and the brands that matter to them.
“This is a fascinating moment for our industry, with trends evolving rapidly and customers shopping across more channels. Schuh’s carefully curated brand partnerships, strong store estate and growing digital presence put it in a great position to meet those changing needs.”
The appointment follows a series of leadership changes at Schuh in 2026. Petersson took over as president in July, replacing Colin Temple following his retirement, while the retailer appointed former Nike and Urban Outfitters marketer Laura King as Chief Marketing Officer in January.
Petersson said Gillan-Reid leaves the business with “strong foundations for its next chapter”, thanking him for his contribution over almost three decades.
He described Scott as an accomplished finance leader with strategic financial expertise, commercial acumen and a track record of supporting businesses through change. He added that Scott’s experience would be valuable as Schuh looks to strengthen its position as the UK’s leading fashion footwear destination.
The leadership changes come as Schuh continues to invest in its appeal to younger shoppers and its digital and omnichannel capabilities.
In March, Schuh reported that profit after tax fell 90.8% to £1.49 million in the year to February 2025, citing a “very disappointing” Black Friday and Christmas trading period, alongside an increasingly promotional retail environment. The retailer also reported a 2.6% decline in turnover to £370.95 million for the period.
