Wilmslow-based pet and vet retailer Pets at Home Group said on Monday it has appointed Lyssa McGowan — the outgoing chief consumer officer at Sky UK Limited — as group chief executive officer with effect from June 1, 2022. 

McGowan’s remuneration package will include a base salary of £580,000, annual bonus maximum of 170% of base salary, pension contributions of 6.5% of base salary, and a restricted share plan (RSP) maximum of 100% of base salary.

“Lyssa will succeed Peter Pritchard, who announced his intention last November to step down from his role in summer 2022 and will remain with the business until 31 May 2022 to ensure a seamless transition,” said Pets at Home.

“Lyssa will be appointed to the board as CEO designate on 25 April 2022 prior to her appointment as CEO on 1 June 2022.    

“Lyssa is the outgoing chief consumer officer at Sky UK Limited, with responsibility for the consumer business serving more than 10 million customers and achieving over $10bn of revenue.

“Over the last 11 years, Lyssa has led numerous business units to growth within Sky, both organically and through M&A.

“She has broad experience of managing product, service and subscription-led businesses, leveraging deep capabilities in new product and service innovation, omnichannel development, marketing and customer experience excellence, and data and digital transformation.”

McGowan was a non-executive director of Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons until its recent sale to US private equity group Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).

Pets at Home chairman Ian Burke said: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Lyssa as CEO of Pets at Home Group Plc.

“Lyssa brings strong corporate, strategic and operational expertise across a range of consumer-facing businesses, and a proven track record of growth at Sky, with significant experience in customer and digital-first initiatives across multiple channels and sites.

“Following an extensive search process across internal and external candidates, the board believes that Lyssa has the requisite skills and capabilities to lead Pets at Home as it executes its future growth strategy.

“Lyssa’s commercial and strategic experience will undoubtedly be of great benefit to Pets at Home and I very much look forward to working with her.”

McGowan said: “I am thrilled to be joining Pets at Home as CEO. It is a fantastic business with a unique, integrated business model, and a strong purpose-led culture fuelled by the shared passion of over 15,000 colleagues and partners to care for pets, and the people who love them.

“I am excited to work with the board and executive management team to lead Pets at Home on its journey to being the best pet care business in the world.”