Go Outdoors founder John Graham is to step down as chief executive to take a role focusing on product at the retailer.

The outdoors specialist is now hunting for a new chief executive and has hired MBS Group to undertake the search. Graham will stay at the helm until a replacement is found.

Graham said he is focusing on the business functions product development and customer service, where he “adds more value” to Go Outdoors.

He said: “I am driven by making the outdoors more accessible through providing customers with ranges of great products from great brands. For me it’s about adventures and giving customers the best equipment to make them happen.”

Graham’s move to step down comes as the retailer, which private equity firm 3i acquired a minority stake in last year, undergoes a period of change.

Chief operating officer Lee Bagnall left the retailer in August and was replaced by former Mothercare head of UK retail Jeff Fagan last week.

It has also made several senior hires in the past year including its first multichannel director, Halfords former digital boss Jon Asbury, and chief finance officer Chris Morgan, who came from Tesco.