The Children’s Place taps former New York & Co. exec as CFO

The Children’s Place has named its second finance head in less than two years.

The largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America has appointed Sheamus Toal as senior VP and CFO, effective November 7, 2022. He succeeds Robert Helm, who left the company earlier this month after joining in April 2021, and was subsequently named CFO of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.

Toal, 53, joins Children’s Place from online mattress retailer Saatva, where he has served as CFO since April 2021. Previously, he spent nearly 17 years with New York & Company, where he held several senior level finance and operational positions, including COO and CFO, culminating in his role as CEO from 2020 to 2021, during which time he led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sheamus has more than 25 years of financial and operational management experience with a proven track record of success,” said Children’s Place CEO and president Jane Elfers. “Sheamus brings a wealth of public company specialty retail experience and is respected as a highly collaborative business partner.”

In May, Children’s Place permanently closed seven stores during the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and was planning to close a total of approximately 40 stores this year. 

“I am excited to help advance the company’s digital transformation strategy and to drive shareholder value,” said Toal.

As of July 30, 2022, The Children’s Place had 658 stores in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, along with online stores. The company’s six international franchise partners had 212 international points of distribution in 16 countries.