Car parts and cyclists specialist Halfords has hired Walmart Canada chief marketing officer Emma Fox as its commercial director.

Fox will join the retailer in September. She will have responsibility for trading, marketing and digital at Halfords Retail.

Halfords chief executive Matt Davies said: “I’m delighted that Emma is joining us. She brings with her a wealth of commercial experience from one of the world’s leading retail groups, coupled with a clear track record of developing and delivering commercially-successful, customer-focused propositions.”

Fox joined Asda/Walmart in 1999 and has worked in a range of roles including commercial director for food. Prior to that she was with Bass for 10 years in trading and marketing positions.

Fox replaces Paul McClenaghan who left retailer last month after eight years.