Pets at Home chief executive to step down
Pets at Home has announced that its chief executive Ian Kellett has informed the board of his intention to step down as he looks to pursue his own personal business interests.
As a result, Peter Pritchard, Pets at Home chief executive of retail, has been appointed as Kellet’s successor. Kellet will leave the business in May 2018.
Tony DeNunzio, Pets at Home chairman, said: “I want to thank Ian for his long tenure at Pets at Home, having successfully led multiple areas of the business in his roles as chief financial officer, within retail, and as group chief executive. On behalf of the board, I wish him well as he takes a break from corporate life to pursue his personal business interests.”
Pritchard joined Pets at Home in 2011 as commercial director and moved to the role of chief executive of retail in 2015. Having worked in retail for 30 years, he has also held various senior operational roles at Asda, Sainsbury’s, Iceland, Marks and Spencer and Wilkinson Hardware Stores.
At Pets at Home, Pritchard has overseen the establishment of its sourcing office in China, the launch of its VIP club, the development of its omnichannel strategy, and more recently, the repositioning of its merchandise business.
DeNunzio added: “I am pleased to announce Peter’s future succession as group chief executive. Ian and Peter will continue to work closely together over the next six months through which there will be an orderly handover process. Peter has steered the retail business for a number of years and has been responsible for the launch of some highly successful initiatives, and I am confident he will provide strong leadership to the group.”
