Former Dixons boss John Browett is set to receive a $56m (£36m) golden hello from Apple for taking over its retail operations.

Browett will receive the payment, paid in shares, over five years, according to The Sunday Times. He was poached by Apple in February to become its senior vice-president of retail.

Browett has taken charge of 361 Apple stores globally, an operation which accounted for $6.1bn (£3.9bn) in revenues in the final quarter of 2011.

During his time at Dixons, which he joined in 2007, Browett won credit for his renewal and transformation plan, designed to put the Currys and PC World owner on a stronger footing following a period of under-performance.