Harrods has appointed former Booths chief executive Chris Dee to lead its food and home business.

Dee was the first-ever person outside of the Booths clan to lead the upmarket Northern grocer, having joined as a buyer and worked his way up the business over two decades. He left Booths last year after a two-year stint as chief executive.

Harrods the roastery and bake hall coffee roastery brotherton lock01

Harrods is investing significant sums redesigning its food halls

He joins Harrods following a short period as an operating partner at GunnerCooke OP, where he advised private equity funds on potential investments in the FMCG sector and counselled established and emerging FMCG brands.

He takes on the role of food and restaurants director Alex Dower, who recently left the business, in addition to overseeing home, technology and toys.

The new role comes at a time when Harrods is investing significant sums across the business including the ongoing restoration and redesign of its food halls and a newly opened toy department. Its home and technology departments are set to be redesigned over the next two years.

Harrods managing director Michael Ward called Dee “a true leader” in the sector.

He added: “Harrods began as a tea merchant, and has strong roots in the food industry. Chris’s knowledge of the importance of cultivating a heritage brand, whilst ensuring we are always leading the way in the provision of the best quality products, will be key to our strategy going forward.”