26 January 2011

Halfords Group Plc

Halfords Appoints Non-Executive  Director 

Halfords Group plc, the UK's leading retailer of automotive and leisure products and leading operator in garage servicing and auto repair, announces the appointment of Claudia Arney to the Halfords board as a Non Executive Director. She will join the Board with effect from 25 January 2011.

Claudia was the Group Managing Director, Digital at EMAP Inform until Autumn 2010 where she led the development and execution of online publishing strategy. Prior to this she was Director of the Enterprise and Growth Unit at HM Treasury, and previously she was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs working on both product development and e-publishing.  She has also worked as the Head of Product Development at FT.Com.

Claudia is a Board member of Transport For London, a member of the Advisory Group to the Shareholder Executive of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and a Non-Executive Director of Doctors.net.uk.

Dennis Millard, Halfords Chairman, commented:

"Claudia brings extensive experience of strategy formulation and business development particularly in the online consumer and media space. I am delighted to welcome Claudia to the Halfords Board as we continue to deliver our plans for long-term sustainable growth."

The company confirms there is no further information about Claudia Arney that requires disclosure under paragraphs 9.6 (11) to (14) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.  

Enquiries:

Analysts:

Tony Newbould, Halfords, Investor Relations Officer     44 (0) 1527 513113

Media:

David Sawday, Halfords, Head of Communications      44 (0) 1527 513471

Richard Farnsworth, Maitland                                         44 (0) 207 379 5151

Notes to Editors:

www.halfords.co.uk

www.halfordscompany.co.uk

www.nationwideautocentres.co.uk

Halfords Group plc

The Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Nationwide Autocentres also the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator.

Halfords employs approximately 11,000 staff and sells over 12,000 different product lines with significant ranges in car parts, cycles, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment.  Halfords own brands include the in-store Bikehut department, for cycles and cycling accessories, Apollo and Carrera cycles and exclusive UK distribution rights of the premium ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment, branded URBAN Escape. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.

Halfords retail customers shop at 464 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. 

Halfords Autocentres operates from 232 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at more affordable prices.