Focus appoints marketing chief

DIY chain Focus - part of Focus Wickes - has appointed Keith Phippen as director of marketing, following a reshuffle of its senior team.

Formerly marketing controller, Phippen replaces Jill Keen, who has left.

Phippen will report to managing director Steve Johnson and will have responsibility for above- and below-the-line marketing, events and creating a Focus own-label programme.

With effect from October 1, store development will become a responsibility of the new retail development team, headed up by Paul Willis, former retail operations director.

Simon Singleton, who joined in September, takes up his role as retail operations director on October 20.