Health food retailer Holland & Barrett has made top-level management changes as it prepares for expansion.
The planned purchase of Dutch chain De Tuinen, as well as the strong possibility of imminent UK acquisitions, prompted the restructure.
Barry Vickers will become chief executive and Peter Aldis will fill his shoes as managing director. In addition, Martin Moran formally takes up the post of retail operations director next month.
Vickers became managing director in 1991 and has been instrumental in Holland & Barrett's growth, helping to take the store tally to 470 in the UK and Ireland.
He will now oversee the company's development, management team and strategic direction.
Aldis - most recently commercial director - has risen through the ranks over the past decade and as managing director, will have responsibilities across the business.
He will also be involved in the integration and management of acquisitions, in addition to the development of other divisions within the company.
Vickers said: 'We are excited by our acquisition in Holland and our strategies for future growth in the UK. Our plans will give us a firm footing into the specialist health market in the Netherlands and will further develop and strengthen our existing UK operations.'
Retail Knowledge Bank research director Robert Clark said: 'Holland & Barrett is operating in what should be a growth sector. There is competition from drug stores and supermarkets, but it has an entrenched position, which gives it an advantage.'
No comments yet