Halfords has appointed Graham Stapleton – the head of Dixons Carphone’s software business Honeybee – as its new chief executive to replace outgoing boss Jill McDonald.

Graham Stapleton

Graham Stapleton

Graham Stapleton

McDonald is stepping down from the cycling and motoring specialist at the end of this month to head up M&S’ fashion and home division. Stapleton will take up the post on January 15. 

Stapleton – currently responsible for Dixons Carphone’s growing software business, Honeybee – was chief executive of Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Ireland between 2013 and 2015. 

Read more: What is Honeybee?

The retailer said he played a “major role” in the merger of Carphone Warehouse and Dixons in 2015.

Prior to that, Stapleton held senior roles at DIY giant Kingfisher and M&S.

Halfords’ current chief financial officer Jonny Mason will act as interim chief executive from September 22 until Stapleton joins early next year.  

Halfords chairman Dennis Millard said: “Graham is an outstanding business leader with the retail, digital, services and category credentials that are an ideal fit for his role as CEO of Halfords.

“We set out our Moving up a Gear strategy just under two years ago and Graham will continue to drive its implementation and pursue our service-led, growth strategy.

“We are delighted to have recruited Graham, who will be able to build on what we’ve achieved over the last few years and we all look forward to working with him.”

Stapleton said: “Halfords is a business with a 125-year heritage and a market-leading brand that strongly resonates with me and the UK public and I am delighted to be joining the company.

“I really look forward to working with my new colleagues to continue to implement the service-led strategy and, over time, identify further growth potential.”