Wilmslow, Chesire-based pet and vet retailer Pets at Home Group Plc said on Friday it appointed Ian Burke as non-executive chairman to succeed Tony DeNunzio. 

“Ian has been chair of Studio Retail Group plc since 2017 and is also a non executive senior independent director of intu properties plc, where he has been a member of various board committees since 2018,” said Pets at Home.

“Ian has extensive board experience; past board positions include CEO of Thistle Hotels, chair of the privately owned veterinary group Vet Partners, and a long tenure on the board at Rank Group plc as non executive chair, executive chair and CEO.

“Tony will stay in role in order to ensure an orderly handover to Ian who will assume his new position at the start of the new financial year.”

Pets at Home Group CEO Peter Pritchard said: “Over the last 10 years, Tony has been an exceptional chair overseeing our transition from a private business to a listed company. 

“More recently he has supported our business in implementing the strategic plan to become ‘The World’s Best Pet Care Business’, bringing everything together for the pet owner, driven by data and insight.

“Our recent performance is reflective of the progress we are making by focusing on our core capabilities and differences …”