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Bensons for Beds has announced that its current chief commercial and digital officer, Nick Collard, will take over as CEO with immediate effect to “lead the company as it prepares for further growth”.
Collard joined the company in July 2021 after holding board roles at Holland & Barrett International, DFS Furniture, and Morrisons, as well as senior roles at Walgreens Boots Alliance.
He replaces Mark Jackson who has stepped down after leading the company for three years and steering Bensons through a refinancing and restructuring deal in 2020, which saw it emerge as a standalone company backed by Alteri Investors.
The brand has transformation plans with the support of Alteri, as they plan to “reshape its store portfolio”, which currently has more than 170 stores. More than a dozen relocations and new branch openings happened in the past year.
Bensons for Beds is also investing in its digital offer, distribution and its dedicated manufacturing site at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Ian Shepherd, chairman of Bensons for Beds, said: “Bensons is a business with huge potential. Like many retailers in our sector, we’ve had our share of operational and supply chain issues as the world has recovered from the pandemic, but we are focussed on delivering for our customers and on delivering our strategy for growth.
“As we start to look forward to the next phase in our transformation, Mark has decided that this is the right time to leave the business. I would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment as they steered us through extraordinary times.”
He added: “We are delighted to have appointed Nick Collard as CEO. Nick is a tremendous leader who has already transformed the commercial operations of our business and is well placed to drive the delivery of our strategy and of a transformed customer experience.”
Collard said: “I’m honoured to be asked to lead one of the best known brands in Britain and take it through the next stage in its transformation. Bensons for Beds has undergone major changes over the past two years and successfully navigated difficult conditions arising from the pandemic and lockdown.
“We have invested across all aspects of the business, including our stores, distribution, manufacturing and revamping our website, but there is still much work to do, and our focus is now on giving customers the best standards of service possible.”
He added: “This business has an unparalleled heritage and significant potential – because of its people, brand and British manufacturing strength that sets it apart in the market.”
