Wilko appoints Craig McGregor as new retail director

Homeware retailer Wilko has announced that former Topshop retail director Craig McGregor will be joining its senior team to help tackle the “changing retail environment”.

McGregor joins Wilko with over 15 years’ senior leadership experience from across the UK, US and Europe, including retail director roles at Topshop/Topman and Matalan as well as most recently UK retail director for Specsavers.

Wilko said in a statement: “[McGregor] will be using his extensive stores experience to make certain our stores and store teams are in the best possible shape to respond to both the increasingly different needs of our customers and the changing retail environment.”

He will report to wilko chief operating officer Sean Toal and will officially take up his responsibilities from 6 August.  

Toal said: “We’re thrilled that Craig is joining the team. He’s an experienced and talented retail leader who shares our passion for products that simply help and we’re looking forward to working with him to ensure customers have a great experience when and where they shop with us.”

McGregor added: “Like many people I’ve been a huge fan of Wilko for some time now and what the business stands for. I’m going to relish the opportunity to help free up hard-working families to be the best they can be. I’m particularly excited to be joining at such a key moment as the business shapes itself for the future.”

The appointment comes shortly after Wilko revealed that Alex Russo will be joining its senior management team as chief financial officer and executive board director. Russo joined Wilko from Asda where he has been CFO and an executive director board member for the last five years.  

Family director, Lisa Wilkinson said: “We are pleased to be building such a strong leadership team across our entire business to confidently deliver the next chapter in Wilko’s transformation programme.”