John Clelend has been named as the new chief executive of Dobbies, effective immediately.
Clelend, who used to head up Somerfield and Maplin, was appointed to the role by Dobbies’ new owners Midlothian Capital Partners and Hattington Capital, who purchased Dobbies from Tesco last month for £217 million.
Cleland replaces Andy King, who will remain with the garden retail chain as a strategic adviser on the board.
It is aniticipated that Cleland‘s experience in retail – which also includes senior management stints with Asda and B&Q – would allow the new owners of Dobbies to realise their growth strategy and to take advantage of the brand’s appeal in a challenging market.
The appointment also sees Cleland reunited with Andrew Bracey, who led the purchase for Midlothian Capital Partners and Hattington Capital, as both know each other from Cleland’s time at Somerfield.
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