Musgrave has hired a Home Retail Group executive as finance director.

Julie Wirth joined yesterday after 20 years with Argos and Homebase-owner Home Retail Group, where she was most recently director of group finance.

Musgrave managing director Phil Smith said: “She brings with her a wealth of retail experience and is an excellent addition to the Musgrave GB board.”

Wirth succeeds Dave O’Flynn as finance director. O’Flynn will remain with Musgrave GB, which manages the Budgens and Londis chains, until the end of April to ensure a smooth transition and will then return to Ireland in his new role as group planning and strategy controller for Musgrave Group.