Carphone Warehouse has appointed former Sainsbury’s zone managing director Anthony Hemmerdinger as its retail director.

Hemmerdinger will have responsibility for running Carphone Warehouse’s over 800 stores and will report directly to Carphone Warehouse managing director Matt Stringer.

Hemmerdinger brings with him more than 19 years experience working in a number of roles within the retail industry, most recently as Sainsbury’s zone managing director, where he was responsible for 135 stores across eight London and south divisions.

Carphone Warehouse managing director Matt Stringer said: “Anthony brings a wealth of commercial experience across to our business. I believe he is a great cultural fit for us with a real passion for driving service and developing teams with a strong retail voice to influence central functions.  He joins us at a key time to deliver our Connected World vision as we roll out our wireless store programme.”

Hemmerdinger said: “The Carphone Warehouse is a fantastic retailer and I am incredibly excited to join the team, especially at such a fascinating time in the development of the business and its Connected World vision. I am really looking forward to getting stuck in and delivering a great level of service for our customers.”

Hemmerdinger will start his new role in summer 2011.