Dunelm today announced its next chief executive would be a multichannel veteran capable of helping it to achieve its digital ambitions of becoming the UK’s “best multichannel homewares business”.
John Browett, whose experience includes stints as chief executive of Tesco.com, of Dixons Retail, and of Monsoon, joins the homeware retailer’s board next week as chief executive designate, ahead of taking on the role full-time from January 1 2016.
He joins at a time when Dunelm, curently a Top100 company in the IRUK 500, is looking to grow its sales by 50% to £1.5bn, and “to develop the best multichannel homewares business in the UK,” in the words of current chief executive Will Adderley, who will revert to his previous role of deputy chairman following Browett’s appointment, “
Andrew Harrison, previously chief executive of Carphone Warehouse, now merged with Dixons Retail, will become chairman of the business when Geoff Cooper retires next month.
William Reeve, co-founder of Lovefilm, also joins the board as a non-executive director.
Chairman Geoff Cooper said Browett brought “an exceptional combination of business leadership, together with outstanding retail skills across a breadth of sectors”.
He said: “John also brings proven exeperience of applying technology in mutichannel operations, which will help us accelerate our digital plans.”
Browett said he was “excited” about the move to join Dunelm and said: “I look froward to working with its talented and experienced board and management team to deliver its ambitious growth plans.”
