Pets at Home appoints former Argos boss as COO

Pets at Home has appointed David Robinson as COO of retail and Jane Balmain as interim CEO of the Vet Group’s First Opinion business.

Robinson has held senior roles at Homebase, Sainsbury’s and Dixons Retail and spent almost 15 years with the Home Retail Group, most recently as COO for Argos, where he ran day-to-day operations.

Balmain will rejoin the Vet Group, having established the Joint Venture Companion Care in-store vet model in 2001 and growing the business before retiring in 2014. She will commence her role immediately, reporting to CEO Peter Pritchard.

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.”

Robinson said: “Pets at Home is a much-loved brand and industry leader, which is uniquely positioned to deliver the full range of pet care to owners across the UK. I’m very excited to be joining the team at a time when the business is moving towards a more integrated, digitally lead approach, where I can help deliver on its ambitions to be the world’s number one pet care business.”

Balmain added: “I’m both pleased and proud to have been asked to return to the Vet Group as Interim CEO of First Opinion business. This was an easy decision for me, not only do I believe it’s an amazing business, but it’s also one that I am hugely passionate about. I’m looking forward to meeting our Joint Venture Partners and the team at the Support Office, and seeing some familiar faces once again.”