11 august 2011

Bill Duffy to Lead Halfords Autocentres

Halfords announces the appointment of Bill Duffy as CEO of Halfords Autocentres from 12 September 2011.

Bill has been Chief Operating Officer at Halfords Autocentres (previously Nationwide Autocentres) since February 2006. He has huge experience of the automotive market and garage-servicing sector from his thirty years in the industry and is well qualified to lead the operation through the next phase of its growth.

In his new role as Chief Executive, Bill will continue to grow Halfords Autocentres' market share by offering motorists dealership quality service at affordable prices.  He will also oversee the expansion of the chain to 400 Autocentres over the next 5 years.

Duncan Wilkes will leave the business, following a handover to Bill, after five and a half years as CEO having decided to look for new challenges. Duncan led the MBO of the Nationwide business with Phoenix in 2006, managed the growth which followed, the sale to Halfords and its rebranding as Halfords Autocentres which was completed in March.

David Wild, Halfords Group Chief Executive commented:

"Duncan has been a fantastic colleague.  I'd like to thank him for his immense contribution to the growth and development of our Autocentres business through its transition from a private company to Halfords ownership. We wish him well with his next projects.

"I'd like to welcome Bill to his new role. He and I have already been working closely together in his capacity as COO. He knows the business inside out and has the ideal experience and leadership qualities to drive the next phase of the growth strategy."  

Enquiries:

Analysts:

Louise Richardson, Halfords Investor Relations Officer                                            44 (0) 1527 513113

Business Media:

Brian Hudspith, 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 Halfords Autocentres also the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator employing 11,000 colleagues.

Halfords 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 range Voodoo and 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 473 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 240 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at more affordable prices.