Paul Marchant
Former chief executive of Primark (until March 2025)
Paul Marchant is a British retail executive who led the value fashion chain Primark, part of Associated British Foods, after joining it in 2009. He stepped down with immediate effect on 31 March 2025, and ABF's finance director Eoin Tonge became interim chief executive.
| Role | Former chief executive, Primark |
|---|---|
| Joined Primark | 2009 |
| Left | 31 March 2025 |
| Parent company | Associated British Foods |
| Successor | Eoin Tonge (interim) |
Who is Paul Marchant?
Paul Marchant is a British fashion retail executive best known for his long tenure at the head of Primark, the low price clothing and homeware chain owned by Associated British Foods (ABF). He joined Primark in 2009 and was its chief executive until March 2025, a period in which the retailer became one of the most recognisable value fashion brands in Europe.
Career
Marchant joined Primark in 2009 and spent around 16 years as its chief executive, overseeing its expansion in Europe and into the United States. Primark is a division of ABF, whose group chief executive is George Weston; ABF also has food, grocery and ingredients businesses.
On 31 March 2025 ABF announced that Marchant had resigned with immediate effect. The company said an investigation had been carried out following an allegation concerning his behaviour towards a woman in a social environment, and that he had cooperated with it and acknowledged an error of judgement. ABF's finance director Eoin Tonge was appointed interim chief executive of Primark, and group financial controller Joana Edwards became interim finance director.
Influence on the fashion business
During Marchant's time at the top, Primark became a reference point for value fashion in physical retail. Its model is distinctive in several ways:
- Low prices supported by large volumes and a focus on cost control
- Large format stores in city centres and shopping centres
- Expansion across continental Europe and into the United States
- A long standing preference for stores over a full transactional online shop
This store led approach set Primark apart from many competitors that moved aggressively into e-commerce, and made it a case study in how a fashion retailer can grow by concentrating on price, range and store experience.
Why it matters
Primark is one of the best known value fashion retailers in the UK and Ireland and a large buyer from global apparel supply chains. As the executive who led it for around sixteen years, Marchant shaped the brand's international footprint and its commercial model. His departure in 2025 opened a new chapter in the leadership of one of Europe's most important value fashion businesses. The expansion in continental Europe and the United States that took place under his leadership has made Primark one of the most visible examples of a store led value fashion model operating across several international markets.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Paul Marchant?
Paul Marchant is the former chief executive of Primark, the value fashion retailer owned by Associated British Foods. He joined Primark in 2009 and led it until March 2025.
Why did Paul Marchant leave Primark?
ABF announced on 31 March 2025 that he had resigned with immediate effect after an investigation into an allegation about his behaviour towards a woman in a social environment. He acknowledged an error of judgement, and Eoin Tonge became interim chief executive.