Appointment of CEO
James Bailey appointed Chief Executive Officer effective 30 March 2026; Ian Burke becomes Non-Executive Chair.
- Base salary £639,770
- Annual bonus maximum 170% of base salary
- Annual share options award 250% of base salary
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Pets at Home Group Plc ('Company'), the UK's leading pet care business, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Bailey as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 30 March 2026.
James was most recently Managing Director of Waitrose, a position he held for over five years from April 2020. During his tenure, he led Waitrose to strong sales and profit growth, steering the business through the challenging Covid period and its immediate aftermath of high inflation. He also relaunched Waitrose.com after the company moved off the Ocado platform. Prior to his appointment at Waitrose, James held a number of senior roles over twenty years at J Sainsbury plc, including Grocery Buying Director.
On 18 September 2025, Ian Burke was appointed Executive Chair pending the arrival of a permanent Chief Executive Officer. Ian will revert to the role of Non-Executive Chair upon James' arrival and will then focus his efforts on supporting James through the transition period.
There are no other matters to be disclosed in respect of James Bailey pursuant to UK Listing Rule 6.4.8R.
Ian Burke, Chair of Pets at Home, commented:
"On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to announce the appointment of James Bailey as CEO of Pets at Home Group Plc.
Following an extensive search process, the Board believes James' experience aligns well with the Group's ambitions for the coming years. His strong retail leadership skills will support the ongoing focus on improving Pets at Home's retail business, with significant operational and commercial experience leading both stores and online operations. My Board colleagues and I very much look forward to working with him."
James Bailey commented:
"I'm delighted to be joining Pets at Home, it's a business I've admired for a long time and one I believe has a very bright future. I look forward to working with the Board and to meeting and working with all of the Pets colleagues and partners."
Remuneration
James Bailey's remuneration package will consist of a basic salary, benefits and variable incentive arrangements which are in line with the Company's Remuneration Policy.
The key elements of James Bailey's remuneration package are as follows:
- Base salary of £639,770
- Pension contribution of 6.5% of base salary in line with the Company's Remuneration Policy and the outgoing CEO's remuneration package.
- An annual bonus maximum award of 170% of base salary, in line with the Company's Remuneration Policy and the outgoing CEO's remuneration package.
- An annual award of share options equivalent to 250% of base salary, dependent on shareholder approval to a revised Remuneration Policy to be tabled for approval by shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held on 9 July 2026.
- Benefits will also be in accordance with the Remuneration Policy set out in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts and approved by shareholders at the 2023 AGM.
Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.