// Wilf Walsh, chair of Carpetright’s parent company, has decided to retire on his 60th birthday in June

// Walsh has overseen Carpetright during a turbulent eight years but has secured its future when it was bought by Meditor

Wilf Walsh is to leave Nestware, a subsidiary of Carpetright owner Meditor, as he retires.

Walsh, who joined Carpetright as chief executive in July 2014 and was promoted to chair of holding company Nestware last March, will retire when he turns 60 in June, according to Retail Week.

Walsh has had a dramatic tenure at Carpetright. He joined the firm as founder Lord Harris left the carpets business but Harris and his son Martin re-emerged a year later, launching rival firm Tapi.

READ MORE: Tapi Carpets accuses Carpetright of breaching lockdown rules

Tapi has aggressively pursued Carpetright, opening stores on the same retail parks as Carpetright’s top performing stores and poached staff. 

Carpetright hit financial difficulties, however, Walsh helped to secure its future through a CVA in 2018, which led to it closing almost a quarter of its stores and reducing rents on others.

The retailer was sold to Nestware owner Meditor in 2019 in a deal that valued the carpets specialist at £15.2m.

Nestware owns a raft of floorings businesses including Floorings Supplies, Flooring Megastore, Carpet & Flooring, and The Floor Room.

Walsh leaves as Nestware has hired ex-Howdens group development director as chief executive.

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