New Top Dog At Pets At Home As CEO Retires

The chief executive of Pets At Home (LSE: PETS.L - news) is retiring to spend more time at home with his family, and pets.

Nick Wood, who has two Bichons Frises, Oscar and Louis, will be replaced by Ian Kellett, who used to be chief financial officer, and now leads the retail division.

The company is recovering after its shares fell nearly 20 percentage points last year.

Mr Wood said: "It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) has been a privilege to lead Pets At Home for four years, but after over eight years working in the North West, and with my children growing up fast, I feel the time is right for me to be based in London with my family."

Mr Kellett will take up the role on 4 April, with Mr Wood remaining to advise and oversee the transition until the beginning of July.

The company said in its statement that Mr Kellett had been instrumental in the group's IPO in 2014, and later its acquisition on Vets4Pets.

He also has two pets at home: Zico, a Viszla, and Max, a Weimaraner.

The company said it was trading in line with expectations, ahead of an update next month, although shares were down more than 0.5% this afternoon.

Peter Pritchard, currently chief operating officer of the retail arm, will take over as CEO of the division, replacing Mr Kellett.