• Martin Roberts replace Carl Allen as ops director
  • Roberts comes from Vodafone after roles at Sainsbury’s and Wickes
  • B&M people director Allison Green also leaves the business

Value retailer B&M has hired Martin Roberts, a former Vodafone, Sainsbury’s and Wickes executive to be its new operations director.

Roberts, who has been Vodafone’s head of retail and online since January last year, has taken up the role at the Liverpool-headquartered retailer.

He replaces Carl Allen who quit the business in April.

Prior to Vodafone, Roberts spent two years at Wickes as retail director and six years at Sainsbury’s.

B&M boasts former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy as its chairman and last month reported first-half profits rose by a quarter as its store opening rate doubled.

It is targeting up to 850 UK stores as its looks to compete with rivals Poundland and Home Bargains. 

In another change at B&M, people director Allison Green has left after less than two years at the retailer, having joined in January last year. A B&M spokesman declined to give any further detail on her departure. 

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