Talbots names new J. Jill executive

Talbots Inc., the Hingham retailer known for classically styled women's clothing, said today that it has named Sue Walsh as the senior vice president of stores for its J. Jill brand.

(The image accompanying this story was taken from J. Jill's online catalogue.)

Walsh, a 46-year-old veteran of the Pottery Barn retail chain, will oversee sales and operations of J. Jill's 280 stores and report directly to J. Jill president Paula Bennett, the company said.

Talbots acquired the J. Jill brand in 2006. J. Jill aims at a similar demographic of middle-age women as Talbots does, but J. Jill fashions tend to be more relaxed and casual.

At a previous job, Walsh helped grow the Pottery Barn division of Williams-Sonoma Inc. from 103 stores to 200 locations across the United States and Canada, Talbots noted.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sue to the J. Jill team, as she brings a strong track record of success in designing and implementing sales generation, merchandising and customer service training programs that have delivered meaningful operational and financial returns,” Bennett said in a statement. “Further, her success in integrating corporate and field leadership teams will be instrumental as we continue to build the brand and improve the profitability of the business.”

Walsh, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College and resides in Dallas, will be relocating to the Boston area, the company said.

For some recent coverage of Talbots, please click here. For a Globe story on J. Jill that ran in March, please click here.
(By Jenn Abelson, Globe staff)