Business
Bill Duffy to Lead Halfords Autocentres
Bill Duffy to Lead Halfords Autocentres.
About this update from Halfords Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 1953M Halfords Group PLC 11 August 2011 \n \n\n11 august 2011\n \nBill Duffy to Lead Halfords Autocentres\n \nHalfords announces the appointment of Bill Duffy as CEO of Halfords Autocentres from 12 September 2011.\n \nBill has been Chief Operating Officer at Halfords Autocentres (previously Nationwide Autocentres) since February 2006. He has huge experience of the automotive market and garage-servicing sector from his thirty years in the industry and is well qualified to lead the operation through the next phase of its growth.\n \nIn his new role as Chief Executive, Bill will continue to grow Halfords Autocentres' market share by offering motorists dealership quality service at affordable prices. He will also oversee the expansion of the chain to 400 Autocentres over the next 5 years. \n \nDuncan Wilkes will leave the business, following a handover to Bill, after five and a half years as CEO having decided to look for new challenges. Duncan led the MBO of the Nationwide business with Phoenix in 2006, managed the growth which followed, the sale to Halfords and its rebranding as Halfords Autocentres which was completed in March. \n \nDavid Wild, Halfords Group Chief Executive commented:\n\"Duncan has been a fantastic colleague. I'd like to thank him for his immense contribution to the growth and development of our Autocentres business through its transition from a private company to Halfords ownership. We wish him well with his next projects.\n \n\"I'd like to welcome Bill to his new role. He and I have already been working closely together in his capacity as COO. He knows the business inside out and has the ideal experience and leadership qualities to drive the next phase of the growth strategy.\" \n \nEnquiries:\n \nAnalysts:\nLouise Richardson, Halfords Investor Relations Officer +44 (0) 1527 513113 \n \nBusiness Media:\nBrian Hudspith, Maitland &nbs...