Go Outdoors has hired the boss of Dixons Greek business Chris Matthews as its new chief executive. Matthews, who runs 100 store electrical chain Kotsovolos, will join in May.  

Matthews has spent 10 years at Dixons and has held roles across general management, commercial, ecommerce and marketing. Prior to Dixons he worked at Marks & Spencer.

Current chief executive, founder of the outdoors retailer John Graham, is to step down from the role to focus on product.

He said: “We knew that we wanted a chief executive who was a talented retailer, but even more importantly we wanted someone who understood Go. Chris is that person.”
Matthews added: “I have got to know the Go business over the last six months and love its passion for both products and service. I am really excited about joining the strong management team and helping to deliver the next chapter in Go’s exciting story”

Matthews is the latest addition to the management team of the retailer, in which private equity firm 3i holds a stake.

Last year Go Outdoors hired Dan Quinn from Tesco as commercial director, Halfords digital director Jon Asbury as its first multichannel director, Chris Morgan from Focus as chief finance officer and Jeff Fagan as retail director from Mothercare.

Go Outdoors turnover soared 19% to £203m in its last financial year.

Matthews was placed by The MBS Group.

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