HMV boss Trevor Moore has become the latest casualty of another swathe of redundancies at the failed music chain.
Moore was one of 60 staff let go by administrators Deloitte across HMV’s head office network at Eastcastle Street in London, Marlow and Solihull.
The job losses come on top of the announcement that 66 of its 220 shops are to close over the next two months, impacting 930 staff.
Moore’s exit comes weeks after he said he was “convinced” the future of the chain could be secured. On the day HMV went into administration, he said bosses remained passionate about the retailer and would like to be involved in the business going forward if the opportunity presented itself.
Talks are continuing between Deloitte and restructuring firm Hilco – the group behind HMV Canada – which has already bought the company’s debt. But any rescue attempt will see HMV emerge as a far smaller business.
Nick Edwards, joint administrator, said the redundancies were a “difficult decision, but a necessary one in restructuring the business”.
“We would like to express our gratitude to staff for their continued support during the administration,” he added.
Moore – who also previously headed failed camera chain Jessops – was the last of the board members to be made redundant after HMV hit the wall last month.
Deloitte announced 190 job cuts last week in the first wave of redundancies.
Workers took over the company’s official Twitter account to announce that their jobs were being axed, describing it as a “mass execution of loyal employees”.
But there was better news for 200 staff at the group this week after Deloitte offloaded its remaining entertainment venues.
HMV’s majority shareholding in G-A-Y Group, which comprises a number of bars and Heaven nightclubs, has been sold to the founder and other shareholder, Jeremy Joseph.
Hilco is thought to be talking to suppliers and HMV’s landlords as part of its plans to salvage the group.
Reports suggest Hilco wants to rescue about half of the shops in the UK as it looks to repeat the strategy that has seen it turn around HMV’s Canadian arm, which it bought in 2011.
Hilco has declined to comment on its plans for the business.
Moore’s exit comes weeks after he said he was “convinced” the future of the chain could be secured
