Heal's appoints former Liberty exec Sarah Coonan as CEO

Heal’s has appointed former Liberty managing director Sarah Coonan as its new chief executive, with Coonan set to join the furniture retailer on 1 October 2026.

Coonan spent 15 years at Liberty, joining the department store in 2010 and holding a number of senior buying and retail roles before becoming Retail Managing Director in 2022. She previously worked at Harrods and has more than 20 years’ experience in the retail industry.

TheIndustry.beauty reported in November that Coonan would leave Liberty, with Lydia King appointed her successor. Coonan departed on 31 January 2026 after 15 years with the department store.

Coonan said: “It is an absolute privilege to be joining a brand with the rich history, reputation and cultural significance of Heal’s. For more than two centuries Heal's has stood for quality, craftsmanship and design that lasts, championing the makers and designers who shape the way we live. I look forward to building on those strong foundations while continuing to evolve Heal's for the next generation of customers.”

She succeeds Hamish Mansbridge, who is stepping down after 11 years as CEO.

Mansbridge joined Heal’s in 2015 and during his tenure oversaw the revamp of its Tottenham Court Road flagship, the development of its regional retail presence and the expansion of its digital offering. He also continued the retailer’s work with established and emerging designers through initiatives including Heal’s Discovers.

Mansbridge said: “It has been a huge honour to lead Heal’s for the last 11 years. Heal’s is far more than a retail business – for more than two centuries it has sat at the intersection of culture, heritage and design, shaping the way we think about our homes and the spaces around us. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and look forward to watching the next phase of growth under Sarah’s leadership.”

Heal’s recently launched its AW26 Modern Heirlooms collection across its stores and online.