Executive Management Team Changes

RNS Number : 4666D

Pets At Home Group Plc

10 October 2018

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 10^th October 2018

Pets at Home Group Plc: Executive Management Team changes

Pets at Home, the UK's leading pet care business, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Kent as Group Chief Data Officer. Andrei Balta, Chief Executive Officer of the Vet Group, will leave the business.

Peter Pritchard, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: "It is six months since I took over the role of Group CEO and trading momentum continues right across the business. I am taking the time to assess our strategy and develop the plan that will ensure Pets at Home remains successful over the long term. I have spoken before about my intention to focus more on digital assets, tap into the vast potential of our data and take action to ensure our vet business reaches its full potential. I am committed to transforming Pets at Home into an integrated pet care business, with the best leadership team to deliver our vision.

I'm therefore delighted that Robert Kent will be joining us as Chief Data Officer. The CDO is both a new and strategically important appointment for Pets at Home, where Robert's wealth of expertise will help us maximise the value of our data. In particular, uniting the huge volume of pet and customer information that sits within our VIP loyalty scheme and veterinary client databases, so we can deliver products and services to customers that are more relevant and convenient.

We will also see the departure of Andrei Balta as CEO of the Vet Group. After seven years with both the veterinary and retail businesses, Andrei has decided to leave and I would like to thank him for his contribution to Pets at Home. I will temporarily assume the role of Vet Group CEO and facilitate a thorough and orderly handover with Andrei."

Robert Kent commented: "Pets at Home is a specialist retailer that has been very successful in the UK pet market. Now is the time for the business to take the next step towards becoming a world class pet care provider, which will need a more integrated, fast moving approach to meet pet owners' needs. I look forward to working with Peter and the team to unlock the wealth of data within the business, so that we can better deliver the products and services customers really want."

Notes:

Robert Kent joins the business from Royal Mail Group, where he was Chief Data Officer for nearly eight years and Head of Programme Delivery for two years. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Carphone Warehouse, including Head of IT, as well as strategic roles at Epiphany UK and Capgemini.

Robert will join the business at the start of November 2018, reporting to Peter Pritchard, Pets at Home Group CEO. Robert will become a member of the Group Executive Management Team.

Investor Relations Enquiries

Pets at Home Group Plc:

[phone]

Amie Gramlick, Director of Investor Relations

Media Enquiries

Pets at Home Group Plc:

[phone]

Brian Hudspith, Director of Corporate Affairs

Maitland:

[phone]

Clinton Manning

Joanna Davidson

About Pets at Home

Pets at Home Group Plc is the UK's leading pet care business; our commitment is to make sure pets and their owners get the very best advice, products and care. Pet products are available online or from our 449 superstores, many of which also have vet practices and grooming salons. Pets at Home also operates a UK leading small animal veterinary business, with 468 First Opinion practices located both in our stores and in standalone locations, as well as four Specialist Referral centres. For more information visit: http://investors.petsathome.com/

 

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