Poundland appoints Darren Shapland as chairman
Poundland has appointed former Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland as its new chairman.
A senior independent director of Poundland since February, Shapland will succeed Andrew Higginson who is to become chairman of the Morrisons supermarket chain.
Shapland has over 25 years’ retail experience which includes senior financial and operational roles with The Burton Group/Arcadia and Kingfisher. From 2005 to 2010, he was chief financial officer at Sainsbury’s before becoming group development director. Most recently, he was chief executive at Carpetright.
Jim McCarthy, Poundland’s chief executive, said: “Darren has been on the board for over six months and has already made a very significant contribution to the business. As our senior independent director he is ideally placed to ensure a seamless transition into the chairman’s role.
“Andy has been an excellent chairman for Poundland and was invaluable in helping guide us through our successful IPO this year. He leaves with the appreciation and thanks of the whole company and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Shapland said: “I am delighted to be appointed chairman and am very excited about the next few years in the development of Poundland. With the successful IPO behind us, the UK business growing strongly, and our first store in Continental Europe just opened, it’s a great time to be taking on this new role.”
