Argos loses COO to Conviviality PLC

Argos COO David Robinson is leaving the company to join Conviviality PLC as managing director, prompting further speculation that a Home Retail Group sale is on the cards.

View the full text of the Conviviality statement below: 

Conviviality Plc (AIM: CVR), the UK's leading off licence and convenience chain and, following the recent acquisition of Matthew Clark, the UK's leading independent wholesaler and distributor of alcoholic beverages to the on trade market, announces that David Robinson has been appointed as Managing Director of Conviviality Retail, the business unit focused on our franchise store operations.

David brings with him a wealth of experience having spent over 20 years of his career working in senior roles in the retail industry across a range of disciplines including commercial, marketing and operations. David’s start date will be confirmed in due course.

David joins the business from Home Retail Group plc where he was a member of the Executive Board and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer of Argos. In this role, he was one of the architects of Argos’ Transformation Plan and successfully led the implementation of its strategic, operational and financial plans. Prior to this, David was Commercial Director and sat on the Argos Board; and before that he was Commercial Director at Homebase.

David also had senior roles with Dixons Stores Group plc as well as spending six years running his own successful events management business. 

The Board of Conviviality is also pleased to announce that it has also appointed Mark Simmonds as Commercial Finance Director for Conviviality Retail. Mark joins from Mitchells and Butlers plc where he was Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and prior to this he held a number of finance and commercial roles during his 19 years with the business. Mark will take up his role in March.

Diana Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Conviviality Plc, said:
“I am delighted to welcome David as Managing Director of Conviviality Retail. David brings a
significant track record of delivering results and has a wealth of experience in the retail industry. David is ideally placed to continue to develop and grow the Retail business with our Franchise partners.

“We are also pleased to welcome Mark as Commercial Finance Director for Conviviality Retail. We believe we now have a strong team in place to drive the Conviviality Retail business forward.”

David Robinson, incoming MD of Conviviality Retail said:
“I am delighted to be joining Conviviality Retail and to have the opportunity of working in this business at such an exciting time. I am looking forward to working with the Conviviality team and the Franchisees to develop further opportunities and continue to drive growth in the business. I am also excited to explore how the recently acquired Matthew Clark business can help us accelerate these aims as more and more synergies are realised.”

Source : Conviviality Press Release
www.conviviality.co.uk