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From Home Furnishing Business
Williams-Sonoma Begins Search for New West Elm President
September 18,
2022 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry 
Retailer Williams-Sonoma has launched an internal and external search for a new president of its West Elm brand following the resignation of Alex Bellos, who had headed West Elm since 2017.
Williams-Sonoma said Bellos stepped down to become co-CEO of Food 52, a cooking and home goods brand.
According to Food 52, founder Amanda Hesser and Bellos will build the business as Co-CEOs for six months, then Hesser will take on a new leadership role as executive chair and Bellos will continue as CEO of Food52.
In partnership with Hesser, Food 52 said Bellos will drive the company’s next phase of growth, expand reach and revenue, and help achieve Food52’s mission to be the next-generation home company bringing together soulful cooking and home brands and their communities.
“Alex is the ideal leader to grow this business from the innovative model that Merrill Stubbs and I conceived over a decade ago,” Hesser said. “His tremendous record of leading fast-growing home brands and depth of experience in commerce will complement my expertise in brand, content, and creative. We’re going to do amazing things together.”
“I am so excited to partner with Amanda and the Food52, Schoolhouse, and Dansk teams to accelerate the company’s next phase of growth,” Bellos said. “The unique combination of content, community, and commerce that underpins their customer relationships is an incredible differentiator to power the next-generation home company. I can’t wait to build on that foundation together with Amanda and the team.”
Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma praised Bellos for leading West Elm’s recent growth drive.
“West Elm is one of the fastest growing brands in the home furnishings industry, and I’d like to thank Alex for everything he has done to build this brand and the West Elm team over the last five years,” Alber said.