Leadership changes for Pets at Home as revenues climb to £468m

National pet retailer Pets at Home plc has announced changes in its leadership team on the back of half-year revenue growth.

The Cheshire-headquartered company saw its total revenues rise to £468m in the six months to October 12 2017, a year-on-year increase of 6%.

Pre-tax profits dipped slightly during the period, falling by just over 11% to £40.8m.

The number of stores in Pets at Home’s UK-wide retail portfolio rose from 435 in October 2016 to 450 as of last month.

Elsewhere, the company has this morning (November 28) announced that its chief executive officer, Ian Kellett, is stepping away from corporate life to pursue his own personal business interests.

Pets at Home’s CEO of retail, Peter Pritchard, will replace Ian at the helm of the business in May 2018 as part of the board’s succession plan.

Ian Kellett said of the decision: “Having spent the past 12 years with Pets at Home, I feel very fortunate to have worked in such a special business with some amazing people. I am proud to have been part of transforming the group from its retail roots into the much wider services and omnichannel business it is today.

“The actions we have taken this year to reposition retail pricing have landed well, and we have a clearly defined plan that will deliver further results.”

He added: “It is with this in mind that I feel able to move on and pursue my own personal business interests, which will provide me with a different type of challenge at this point in my career.”

The company also confirmed that Nicolas Gheysens, non-executive director of the board, has resigned and stood down with immediate effect.