Pets at Home boss Nick Wood steps down and hands baton to Ian Kellett

Wood will remain at Pets at Home until July 1 “in an advisory role” to “ensure a smooth transition” after Kellett takes on the top job from April 4.

Wood said he had taken the decision to step down so that he could return to be based in London with his family after eight years of working in the Northwest.

Kellett will step up from his current role as chief executive officer for the retail division to replace Wood. In his time in this role, Kellett played “a pivotal role” in the retailer’s IPO and helped expand its veterinary services with the acquisition of Vets4Pets.

“With my children growing up fast, I feel the time is right for me to be based in London with my family”

Nick Wood, Pets at Home

He previously served as Pets at Home’s chief financial officer during a 10-year tenure as part of the retailer’s board.

Following Kellett’s promotion, current chief operating officer for the retail division Peter Pritchard will step up to take on Kellett’s role as chief executive of the retail division.

Sally Hopson will remain as chief executive of the services division, while Graeme Jenkins is poised to join Pets at Home as its new chief financial officer in April.

On his departure, Wood said: “I would like to thank my colleagues throughout the business for the support they have given me over my time as CEO.

“It has been a privilege to lead Pets at Home for four years, but after over eight years working in the Northwest, and with my children growing up fast, I feel the time is right for me to be based in London with my family.”

His successor Kellett said: “Pets at Home is a special business whose success is founded on its many thousands of talented colleagues who, together with our customers, share a love of pets.

“I look forward to leading our amazing team as the business enters the next exciting stage of its development.”

Succession plan

Pets at Home chairman Tony DeNunzio added: “I am delighted that Ian is succeeding Nick as CEO, having seen them work together so successfully over the past four years on the strategic development of the group.

“His appointment is consistent with the succession plan the board set out when Ian was appointed last year as CEO of the retail division, and with the appointment of Graeme Jenkins as CFO.

“Ian has a strong vision for the group based on his experience over 10 years with Pets at Home in both financial and operational roles and I am confident he will continue to provide excellent leadership to the group.

“I would like to thank Nick for steering the business so capably over the past four years, particularly in overseeing the group’s IPO in 2014. On behalf of the Board, I wish him well as he takes a break from business life to spend time with his family.”

Pets at Home said it “continues to trade in line with expectations” ahead of its fourth quarter trading update on April 21.