Jollyes has strengthened its executive team as it ramps up its growth strategy, with a spree of new hires from retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Card Factory and Hobbycraft.

The pet retailer has poached Card Factory chief commercial officer Adam Dury to be its first chief operating officer, effective from January.

Dury, who has also worked in commercial roles at Tesco and M&S, will join the Jollyes board along with recently appointed chief financial officer Richard Willan, who joined in May.

The retailer has also poached Hobbycraft customer director Katherine Paterson, who will join next month into the newly created role of chief marketing officer.

She leaves the crafts specialist after 12 years and brings senior marketing and ecommerce experience from roles at B&Q owner Kingfisher, Asda and Mars.

Jollyes appointed Anne Galloway as its new trading director in September. She joined the pet specialist after a 20-plus year career in buying and merchandising roles at Tesco.

Galloway was joined by Matt Johnston, the retailer’s new chief technology officer who joined from Sainsbury’s as its head of data science.

Jollyes chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “It’s a measure of the progress we’ve made that we’re now able to attract some of the best talent in British retailing to join our team.

“And while we’ve had a tremendous couple of years, continuing to fulfil our ambitious growth plans will depend on us hiring, nurturing, and supporting people who can build great careers at Jollyes.

“We’re determined to be first in line as great people look for great roles, whether that’s in the boardroom or on the shopfloor. I’d like to welcome my new colleagues to the business as we continue our exciting journey serving pet parents across the UK.”

The host of new hires is the latest move from the retailer under its new private equity owner TDR Capital, which acquired a majority stake in the business in February.

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