Paul Marchant, a prominent figure in British retail, has stepped down as CEO of Primark following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.
The discount fashion retailer said CEO Paul Marchant resigned “with immediate effect”, after an investigation by Primark's parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF). Mr Marchant admitted to an "error of judgement" and apologised to the individual involved, the ABF board, and his colleagues.
Mr Marchant's career in retail spans decades. Before joining Primark in 2009, he held senior roles at major high-street brands.
His tenure at Primark saw the company expand its footprint to more than 450 stores globally, cementing its position as a leader in affordable fashion.
Under his leadership, Primark launched the Supporting Women for Life initiative.
His resignation marks a significant moment for Primark, as ABF's finance director, Eoin Tonge, steps in as interim CEO to guide the company through this transitional phase.
Paul Marchant’s retail career
Specific details are sketchy on his CV. It seems he has held leadership roles at Top Man and River Island.
However, Mr Marchant has listed his first role as trading director of Debenhams in 1996. He worked there for eight years, until 2004.
Then, in 2005, he says he became chief operations officer for New Look, where he stayed for three years.
In 2009, he joined Primark, though exact dates are vague. Mr Marchant seemed settled at the retail giant, having helmed the organisation for more than 16 years, before this controversy.
However, at the time of writing, his LinkedIn and Primark still list him as Primark CEO.
What did he achieve at Primark?
During his tenure, Mr Marchant played a pivotal role in transforming the high-street retailer into a global powerhouse.
Under his leadership, Primark expanded its footprint to 460 stores worldwide, focusing on delivering affordable, trend-driven fashion.
Mr Marchant was instrumental in steering the brand's international growth, particularly in the US and European markets.
His strategic vision helped Primark navigate the challenges of the fast-fashion industry and solidify its position as a leader in the sector.
A week ago, he posted: “I’m proud to share that last night Primark was named Best Retailer over £250m at the Retail Week Awards 2025.
“This award is a reflection of the tireless energy, passion and commitment our colleagues bring every day to delivering great quality products at the best value on the high street.”
He added: “We’ve introduced exciting new products including fashion collaborations, new licences, adaptive fashion and an expanded range of products under our Supporting Women For Life initiative. We continue to elevate our in-store experience and expand our Click & Collect service in Great Britain.”
Under his leadership, Primark expanded inclusivity initiatives, and launched Supporting Women for Life.
On the website, it states: “At Primark, we're committed to supporting and empowering women through every stage of their lives.”
Why did Marchant resign?
Paul Marchant resigned as CEO of Primark following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.
An investigation conducted by Primark's parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF), concluded that Marchant's actions fell below the company's expected standards.
They stated that the incident related to “his behaviour towards (a woman) in a social environment”.
His resignation was effective immediately, marking the end of his 16-year tenure at the helm of the fast-fashion giant.
Has he faced other controversies?
Yes, as the head of Primark, his company sparked controversy concerning fast fashion when, in 2014, UK customers discovered "cry for help" labels sewn into Primark garments.
These labels claimed workers were subjected to forced labour and degrading conditions. Primark denied the allegations, stating the labels were likely a hoax, but the incident sparked a debate on unethical practices in retail and modern slavery.
Additionally, Primark has been scrutinised for its association with the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed more than 1,100 garment workers. While Primark was not directly responsible for the tragedy, it sourced products from one of the factories in the building.
The company provided compensation to victims and their families, but the incident highlighted the risks of fast fashion's reliance on low-cost labour.
What about his personal life?
Paul Marchant was born in the United Kingdom in 1968. However, details about his personal life remain private, with no significant information publicly available.
What has Primark said?
At the time of writing, Primark still lists him as their director, and states on its website: “Paul joined Primark as COO in 2009 and within the same year became CEO, taking over the reins from Primark founder, Mr Arthur Ryan.
“He has spearheaded our European and US expansion, more than doubling our store footprint since joining.”
Speaking about the incident, George Weston, chief executive of ABF, the company that owns Primark, said: "I am immensely disappointed. Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual.
"At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential. Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long term."
