Shift at Dollond & Aitchison as chief exec quits

Dollond & Aitchison boss Russell Hardy has left the retailer and is replaced by commercial director Andy Ferguson.

Hardy had been at the specs chain - which has 390 outlets - for eight years.

D&A, owned by Italian optical company De Rigo, said Hardy had left to 'expand his experience in a different industry'. Ferguson takes immediate charge.

Ferguson joined D&A from Safeway seven years ago as operations director, before becoming commercial director in 2002. He will report to De Rigo board chairman Maurizio Dessolis.

Hardy also joined D&A from Safeway, in 1996.