Pets at Home has appointed the former managing director of Waitrose as its new chief executive.
James Bailey, who stepped down from John Lewis Partnership-owned Waitrose earlier this year, will take over as Pets at Home at the end of March 2026. He succeeds Lyssa McGowan, who left Pets at Home in September when the retailer issued a profit warning.
Pets at Home chair Ian Burke, who took on executive responsibilities in September, will revert to his non-executive status and support Bailey as he gets to know the business.
Burke said: “Following an extensive search process, the board believes James’ experience aligns well with the group’s ambitions for the coming years. His strong retail leadership skills will support the ongoing focus on improving Pets at Home’s retail business, with significant operational and commercial experience leading both stores and online operations. My board colleagues and I very much look forward to working with him.”
Bailey said: “I’m delighted to be joining Pets at Home, it’s a business I’ve admired for a long time and one I believe has a very bright future. I look forward to working with the board and to meeting and working with all of the Pets colleagues and partners.”
As well as pet products, which it sells online and from its 450 branches, Pets at Home operates a veterinary business with 440 practices, many in-store.
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