Bargain Booze owner hires former Musgrave finance director Julie Wirth

Wirth takes up the position after Conviviality Retail, which is one of the UK’s largest franchised-led off-licence chains, last week floated on the AIM stock exchange.

She replaces Peter Hodgson in the role who is retiring, ending a 20-year career at the company. He will remain in the business for an “appropriate handover period” after Julie begins.

Conviviality Retail chief executive Diana Hunter said: “I am delighted to welcome to Conviviality a finance director of the calibre and experience of Julie. She has worked in businesses that utilise the same model so understands fully the axis between the company and its partners, the franchisees.”

Wirth comes from food supplier Musgave Retail Partners, which includes the Budgens and Londis fascias, where she has been finance director since 2008. Prior to this Wirth worked at Argos and Homebase’s parent company Home Retail Group, working her way up to director of group finance.

Wirth said: “I look forward to joining Diana and the team and see Conviviality as a terrific opportunity to join a business with strong brands, the appropriate capital structure and a robust platform for growth. I am delighted to be joining at this most exciting time.”