Appointment of Chief Executiv

RNS Number : 1333X

Halfords Group PLC

20 June 2008

 



                                      20 June 2008

Halfords Group plc - Directorate Change

David Wild appointed Chief Executive with effect from 4 August 2008.

Halfords Group plc, the UK's leading automotive and leisure products retailer, today is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wild as Chief Executive, with effect from 4 August 2008.

David Wild is currently Senior Vice President for New Business Development at Wal-Mart US, a position he has held since January 2007. Prior to this appointment he was President and Managing Director of Wal-Mart Germany.  

Before joining Wal-Mart, David spent eighteen years at Tesco, latterly as Group Supply Chain Director. He spent the six years prior to this focused on the company's Continental European expansion, both as Chief Executive of Central Europe and, before that, as European Corporate Development Director.  

Commenting on David Wild's appointment, Richard Pym, Chairman of Halfords Group plc, said:  'We are delighted that David will be joining Halfords. He brings over 20 years' retailing experience, gained at two world-leading businesses, and clearly has the skills and ability to move the company forward. We are confident that David will add tremendous value to Halfords and we look forward to him joining the team.'

'On behalf of the Halfords Board, I would like to thank the two executive directors, Paul McClenaghan, Director of Trading, and Nick Wharton, Finance Director, who have led the company very well as Acting Joint Managing Directors since Ian McLeod's departure and I know they are both looking forward to working with David to continue to drive the Halfords business.'

David Wild said:  'I am very excited to be joining Halfords. It's a business I have known and admired from the outside for many years. Halfords has some very attractive market positions and exciting opportunities for continued growth as well as sound defensive qualities. I am delighted to be joining such a strong team and I look forward to leading the company onto further success.'  

There are no other disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13.

Enquiries:

Halfords Group plc

Richard Pym, Chairman                                                 [phone] (on the day only)

Hogarth Partnership

Julian Walker, James Longfield                                       [phone]

Notes to Editors:

Halfords Group plc

The Group employs in excess of 10,500 staff and sells over 10,000 different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to the latest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords' own brands include Ripspeed, for car enhancement, Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, including the exclusive Apollo, Boardman and Carrera brands, and URBAN Escape for camping equipment. Operating from 450 stores, including three stores in the Czech Republic, 24 smaller format, neighbourhood stores and five standalone Bikehuts, Halfords offers a 'wefit' service for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a 'werepair' service for cycles.

www.halfords.co.uk

www.halfordscompany.co.uk

 

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