Former Asda and Royal Mail boss Allan Leighton has been appointed as chief executive of Danish jeweller Pandora after its current boss switched to Puma.

Leighton returns to a chief executive role in July after a string of chairmanships including fashion retailer Peacocks, which collapsed into administration last year, and the deputy chairmanship of Leeds United.

Leighton, who has been chairman of Pandora since August 2010, replaces Bjørn Gulden, who leaves for sportswear giant Puma after pushing up sales since beginning in the role last year.

Marcello Bottoli, currently deputy chairman at Pandora, will become chairman.

Lucky-charms retailer Pandora has operations in more than 900 shops in 70 counties and has been listed on the Danish stock exchange since October 2010.

Gulden said: “This has been a very hard decision for me to make. Pandora is a great business that is performing well, but the sports industry has always been a major part of my life, and will allow my family to remain in Germany.”