Focus Wickes rejigs trading boards

DIY retailer Focus Wickes has shaken up the trading boards of its two eponymous chains as it aims to develop both businesses over the next three years.

Focus has created the position of store development director as it rationalises and repositions its 250-strong store portfolio via refits, conversions to the Wickes fascia and relocations.

Focus' present operations director Paul Willis will take up the store development director's role and report directly to managing director Steve Johnson.

Simon Singleton will fill the operations director position left vacant by Willis. Singleton is at present operations and trading director at Asda's George clothing business. He will join the DIY retailer in September.

Sister chain Wickes has created a commercial role to bring a more co-ordinated approach to store development, planning and marketing.

Wickes' trading director Jeremy Bird will take up the role of commercial director, while marketing director Colin Ball moves to the position of commercial services director. Gary West has been promoted to trading director after 15 years with Wickes in various roles.

Wickes plans to open 100 of its large Extra stores over the next few years (Retail Week, July 11). The retailer also plans to install Outdoor Project Centres in another 40 stores this year, and is extending its Space Gain Initiative, enabling the stores' range to increase by 250 lines.