Halfords chairman Richard Pym will stand down at the end of the week after becoming chief executive of Bradford & Bingley.

Halfords senior independent director Nigel Wilson will be acting chairman while the retailer looks for a successor to Pym.

Wilson said: “Halfords has benefited from Richard's experience, insight and support over the past two and a half years as chairman and before that as senior independent director.

“During his tenure, Halfords has continued to grow its core UK operations and, in its centenary year, took the first steps to expand its unique customer franchise overseas.”

Pym said: “Halfords has great people, a strong board and a very capable new chief executive. I am sorry that my new commitments mean I am unable to continue my role at the company, but I am confident that the strength of the Halfords customer proposition will ensure its continued success.”

Halfords’ new chief executive David Wild joined the retailer from Wal-Mart earlier this month.