Topps Tiles names new chief executive
Topps Tiles has appointed Alex Jensen as its new chief executive.
She will succeed Rob Parker whose upcoming retirement was announced early this year.
Jensen most recently worked as chief executive of National Express UK, Ireland and Germany. Prior to that, she served for nearly 14 years in senior roles at BP where her work included leading the transformation of the company’s retail and B2B fleet services.
She is currently a non-executive director and chair of the sustainability committee at Inchcape and is also a trustee for Mind, the mental health charity.
Jensen will join Topps Tiles as chief executive designate on 15 September and will be appointed to the board as an executive director.
Meanwhile, Parker will remain will in post until towards the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition,
Paul Forman, chair of the Topps Tiles board, said: “Alex brings extensive retail, multi-site and digital experience as well as a proven record of value creation. I am confident that Alex will be instrumental in helping us deliver our goal of Mission 365, creating value for all stakeholders.
“After almost two decades with the business, we will be sad to see Rob leave us and are incredibly grateful for the contribution he has made over that time as both CFO and CEO. We wish him the very best for the future.”
Topps Tiles has also announced that its chief financial officer Stephen Hopson will be leaving the business on 3 September to join Marston’s. He has been succeeded on an interim basis by Mike Killick, an experienced chief financial officer who has previously worked with companies such as Pod Point Group, Restore, Peacocks, Thorntons and Jones Bootmaker. Killick will work alongside Hopson until his departure to ensure an orderly succession.
A search for a permanent chief financial officer will commence “in due course” and will be led by Jensen.
Forman added: “Stephen has been an exemplary CFO and the board extends its heartfelt thanks to him and wishes him the very best for the future and his new opportunity.
“We are delighted to have been able to appoint a candidate of Mike’s calibre as interim CFO. Mike brings with him extensive CFO experience and I am confident will provide strong leadership to the business through this period.”
