Pets At Home Group announces Ian Kellett as upcoming CEO

– UK, Handforth – Pets at Home Group Plc, the UK’s leading specialist retailer of pet food, accessories and services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Kellett as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 4th April 2016, following the resignation of Nick Wood, who will remain with the Group in an advisory role until 1st July to support Ian and ensure a smooth transition.

Ian has been a member of the Group’s Board for the last ten years fulfilling the roles of Chief Financial Officer and latterly the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Division. Over this time, Ian has steered the business through continuous growth, played a pivotal role in the IPO and the expansion of our veterinary services with the acquisition of Vets4Pets.

Also announced today, Peter Pritchard is promoted from his role of Chief Operating Officer in the Retail Division to Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Division. Sally Hopson remains Chief Executive Officer of the Services Division and Louise Stonier as Group Legal Director and Company Secretary. As previously announced, Graeme Jenkins will join the Group as Chief Financial Officer on 4th April.

The Group continues to trade in line with expectations and will issue a trading update for the fourth quarter on 21st April 2016.

Commenting on Ian Kellett’s appointment, Tony DeNunzio, Chairman, said: “I am delighted that Ian is succeeding Nick as CEO, having seen them work together so successfully over the past four years on the strategic development of the Group. His appointment is consistent with the succession plan the Board set out when Ian was appointed last year as CEO of the Retail Division, and with the appointment of Graeme Jenkins as CFO. Ian has a strong vision for the Group based on his experience over ten years with Pets at Home in both financial and operational roles and I am confident he will continue to provide excellent leadership to the Group.

“I would like to thank Nick for steering the business so capably over the past four years, particularly in overseeing the Group’s IPO in 2014. On behalf of the Board, I wish him well as he takes a break from business life to spend time with his family.”

Ian Kellett said said: “Pets at Home is a special business whose success is founded on its many thousands of talented colleagues who, together with our customers, share a love of pets. I look forward to leading our amazing team as the business enters the next exciting stage of its development.”

Nick Wood said: “I would like to thank my colleagues throughout the business for the support they have given me over my time as CEO. It has been a privilege to lead Pets at Home for four years, but after over 8 years working in the North West, and with my children growing up fast, I feel the time is right for me to be based in London with my family.”

About Pets at Home

Pets at Home Group Plc is the UK’s leading specialist pet omnichannel retailer and services provider. Pets at Home operates from 413 stores located across the UK. The Group operates the UK’s largest small animal veterinary business with 359 practices, run principally under a Joint Venture model using the Vets4Pets and Companion Care brand names, and two specialist referral vet hospitals. Pets at Home is the UK’s leading operator of pet grooming services offered through its 205 grooming salons. The Group also operates 4 specialist High Street based dog stores, called Barkers, as well as Ride-away, an equine retail business with a superstore and website.

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