LITTLEWOODS' new chief executive Alistair McGeorge has unveiled a new-look management team as he moves to restore the struggling retailer to former glory.

Confirming David Simons, 55, as his chairman, Mr McGeorge unveiled a raft of other changes to the board, management and divisional structure of what is the UK's largest privately-owned business.

The former supply chain director, who became chief executive last September when Barry Gibson was ousted on the back of poor trading, has restructured the core retail operations, with separate managers for home shopping and high street trading.

Two new non-executives join the main board. They are: Sly Bailey, 40, chief executive of the UK's largest consumer magazine publisher IPC Media and known as the tenth most influential woman in Britain; and Mair Barnes, 57, who has held senior retail management positions at Woolworths, House of Fraser and Dollond and Aitchison.

Mike Grabiner, former chief executive of Energis, has resigned as a non-executive director to `pursue other interests'. Alistair McGeorge, as well as overseeing the whole group, has taken direct control of home shopping. Susan Murray, the sales and marketing director, becomes managing director of the high street business.

There are also two new appointments to strengthen its buying and merchandising. Beverley Williams is trading director for Stores and Colin McLean is trading director for Home and Leisure.