Update: Conviviality poaches Halfords people director Jonathan Crookall

Crookall, who joined the cycling and car parts retailer as group HR director in October 2011, has resigned to take up the role of group HR director at Conviviality, it is understood.

He will join the Bargain Booze and Wine Rack owner “in a few months,” sources said. 

News of his impending exit comes a month after Retail Week revealed that Halfords’ highly-rated commercial director Emma Fox had left “by mutual consent” following a strategic review of the business.

A source close to the situation told Retail Week that Fox and Crookall’s departures were not linked.

Halfords admitted last month that it had moved to “flatten” its senior structure after “reviewing the business to ensure that it’s fit for purpose.”

Fox, who spent a decade in various roles at Asda, has not been directly replaced, with her duties instead being absorbed by other executives.

Halfords boss Jill McDonald has been driving change at the retailer through its ‘Moving up a Gear’ strategy since taking the reins almost two years ago.

McDonald has been spearheading a drive to better understand Halfords’ customers through its use of data, while it is also revamping stores to make them easier to navigate.

Halfords has also acquired the Cycle Republic and Tredz brands, as well as an £8m stake in TyresOnTheDrive.com, as McDonald bids to enhance the retailer’s proposition.

In January, Halfords unveiled a better-than-expected 7% rise in third-quarter like-for-like sales, but warned it will have to raise its prices due to Brexit.

Profits plunged in the first half of its financial year after its bottom line was rocked by the impact of a weak pound.