The retailer Currys has appointed Fredrik Tønnesen as its new chief executive, starting from 3 August.
The FTSE 250 company has promoted Tønnesen, who is currently head of its large Nordic business, to replace Alex Baldock, who announced in March that he would step down after eight years in the top job. Reports suggest he is expected to become the boss of Boots, as the pharmacy chain prepares for a potential stock market listing in London.
Tønnesen joined Currys 20 years ago as a sale assistant on the shop floor. He said in a statement:
I’m incredibly proud to be leading Currys, a company that I joined 20 years ago on the shop floor and know extremely well. This is a great business comprising thousands of capable and committed colleagues, and it is hugely exciting to take on its leadership at a time of such strong momentum.
My job, with the full support of the leadership team and all my colleagues, is to keep this momentum going and find every way to accelerate it. I can’t wait to get started.”
Chair Ian Dyson said:
I am delighted to welcome Fredrik as our next group chief executive. He has huge experience inside the business and has led an extremely impressive operating performance improvement over the last three years. He understands our customers, our colleagues and our culture from the inside, and brings the right combination of clarity, energy and leadership to take Currys forward, building on the strong foundations that Alex and the team have put in place.”
