Holland & Barrett has snapped up McColl’s chief financial offer Robbie Bell for the same role.

Bell will report into Holland & Barrett chief executive Tony Buffin in his new job.

He is leaving McColl’s having joined the business last January.

A search for his successor is underway and the exact date of his departure from the convenience store group is to be confirmed.

McColl’s chief executive Jonathan Miller said: “I would like to thank Robbie for his contribution to McColl’s during his time here and we wish him well for the future. This is a busy time for McColl’s as we continue to respond to increased customer demand and keep the neighbourhood communities we serve supplied with the food, goods and services they need every day.”

A spokeswoman for Holland & Barrett said: “We are delighted that Robbie Bell will be joining us as chief financial officer to lead our strategic growth in what will clearly be a challenging and unprecedented year for all retailers. Robbie’s experience of the convenience grocery channel will be incredibly valuable as will his experience as chief financial officer of Screwfix through a period of huge growth and the development of their market-leading omnichannel proposition.”

Bell will succeed Gregs Watts at Holland & Barrett, who is acting as chief financial officer on an interim basis.