Pets at Home announces executive management appointments

On Nov. 1, UK-based pet retailer Pets at Home announced the appointments of David Robinson as COO of Retail and Jane Balmain as interim CEO of the Vet Group’s First Opinion business.

Robinson has tremendous experience in the retail industry and having worked as Managing Director of Bestway Retail for two years prior to his current appointment. He has also worked for Home Retail Group as COO for Argos and held senior roles at Homebase and Dixons Retail. Robinson will report to Group CEO Peter Pritchard and will join the business in 2019.

Balmain will rejoin the Vet Group, having established the Joint Venture Companion Care in-store vet model in 2001 and growing the business successfully before retiring in 2014. She will commence her role immediately, report to Peter Pritchard and has committed to the next twelve months whilst supporting the company’s search for a permanent leader. Peter Pritchard will continue to lead the Vet Group’s Specialist Referral business.

Peter Pritchard said, “I am delighted that David will be joining us. Following Robert Kent’s appointment as Chief Data Officer only a few weeks ago, we are making another strategically important and senior level appointment, who will be critical to achieving our goal of becoming the world’s best pet care business. David has proven strength in running operations across a diverse group of retailers and his experience leading the digital transformation at Argos will be hugely valuable in our pursuit to make Pets at Home an increasingly digitally-led business.”

Pritchard said, “I’m also thrilled to be welcoming Jane Balmain back to the Group. Jane was responsible for establishing the in-store Companion Care Joint Venture model and growing the business successfully and sustainably through her tenure. Jane is well known by many of our Joint Venture Partners and Vet Group colleagues, and we look forward to benefitting from her expertise and support over the coming months.”