Halfords senior leadership shuffles against “difficult backdrop”

Halfords has made a number of changes to its senior leadership team, with CEO Graham Stapleton seeking cost and efficiency improvements in the business.

A note from the business explained “with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite, and the significant shift we have seen in customer spending, we need to maintain a laser sharp focus on cost and efficiency across the business, and work even harder for our share of the market, and to deliver our goal to inspire and support our customers through a lifetime of motoring and cycling.”

Changes to the senior team began to emerge on the back of adjustments made last year to the customer and commercial and going forwards the established teams will come under the leadership of Karen Bellairs, who becomes Chief Customer and Commercial Officer.

“Karen has led our customer team through some huge milestones over the last two years, overseeing the creation of our new Format (‘Fusion’), and driving record NPS scores across the Group,” offered Halfords.

In respect of this change, David Hutchinson will leave the business after a short spell leading the commercial team.

“David has also been instrumental in helping us understand and start to realise the full potential of our Group synergies and cost savings, and most importantly, he has set up a high performing commercial and supply chain team.”

Andy Randall, who has spent a large part of his 45 year career in and around Halfords, will now retire from his full-time role as Group Chief Operating Officer.

Of this Halfords said: “Andy leaves a lasting legacy including building a very successful Halfords Autocentres business; growing our mobile proposition; bringing the teams of Tyres on the Drive, McConechys, Universal, National & Viking, and (the recently bought) HaveBike into the One Halfords Family.Last but certainly not least, Andy has overseen the development of our own PACE software and helped launch our Avayler business.”

It is likely that Andy will remain part of the business on the sidelines, guiding the business through any further M&A activity.

Jo Hartley, Halfords’ CFO will take on accountability for the Strategy and Transformation office, as well as Supply Chain function.

Finally, Rob Keates will transition from Chief Transformation Officer to Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Andy.

In the business for over two years, Rob was previously Head of Retail at 02 and has since been pivotal in Halfords’ “transformation agenda”, adjusting the FTSE listed firm’s priorities during the worst of Covid and being charged with meeting current challenges head on.

Rob has been a vital part of Tredz, Halfords owned performance cycling business and retains responsibility in this change. Added to this, Rob will be charged with managing the Retail Stores, Garages, HME, Contact Centres, and Central Operations.

Halfords now operates 604 garages and 404 outlets with bikes and servicing carried.