The Entertainer appoints new CEO

The Entertainer, the UK’s largest independent toy retailer, has announced the appointment of Andrew Murphy as group chief executive officer.

Murphy most recently held the role of group chief operating officer at John Lewis Partnership (JLP). He started his career on the John Lewis shop floor in Aberdeen, rising quickly through the business to lead John Lewis’ Scottish business and subsequently being appointed Retail Director for the entire department store business; simultaneously joining the John Lewis operating board. 

In 2015, he was promoted to become the partnership’s first productivity and change director, a group role where he brought large elements of John Lewis and Waitrose together as a single operational entity to be more cost effective and agile. He then went on to be appointed chief information officer, a role he held until 2020 and his appointment as COO.

Murphy will now officially join The Entertainer on 16 October 2023.

Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Andrew to The Entertainer family and using his knowledge, skills and experience to continue to grow our business both here in the UK and globally.” 

Regarding his appointment, Murphy said: “I’m delighted to have been trusted with overseeing the continued growth and development of this fantastic business. 

“With over 170 UK shops, a further 220 globally, and a growing product distribution business, The Entertainer along with Early Learning Centre, Poly and Addo Play have become a mainstay in the lives of children and parents across Britain & many other countries. I can’t wait to join the successful team behind such a great British success story.”