Homebase appoints former Kingfisher director to lead Bathstore

Ian Penney – previously group category director of kitchens at Kingfisher – will be responsible for all aspects of the Bathstore business including the chain’s online offering and the concession roll out to Homebase.

Penney will report directly to Homebase chief executive Damian McGloughlin.

McGloughlin said: “Ian’s leadership qualities and experience of delivering a customer-first approach will be instrumental to the business as we look to strengthen our showroom offer to customers.”

Penney said: “I’m proud to be leading the experienced and knowledgeable Bathstore team at this hugely important milestone in the history of the brand.

“We’ve got a really exciting opportunity to reinvigorate Bathstore as we continue to run standalone stores and start to introduce concessions into Homebase.”

As well as Bathstore concessions, Homebase has announced the rollout of three more concessions, following rollouts over the last 12 months of Tapi, Ponden Home and Silentnight concessions.

Furniture and flooring specialist AHF Furniture and Carpets, ceramics and homeware manufacture Denby, and luxury bedding brand Bedeck will all be opening concessions.

Mcloughlin added: “We have been working tirelessly over the past 12-months to rebuild our range and offer as part of our wide-ranging turnaround plan.

“Reintroducing complementary concessions is a key pillar of our strategy and we’re delighted to have three new partnerships.”