Peter "PJ" Davies, the boss of Bunnings Homebase in the UK is to take a 3 month period of leave in mid January according to newspaper reports over the festive period.
On Friday 29th December, the Guardian ran the business headline: "Homebase boss opts for three-month time-out back home in Australia." The story went on to suggest that the decision will raise eyebrows in the city following comments by new Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott last November that they had made a mistake by changing the Homebase management team and product ranges too quickly when it took over the UK chain last year.
In the story "PJ" is quoted as saying: “I’ve been away from my family in Australia for three years and I want to take a break and I’m going to take a break."
Indications are that Damian McGloughlin, who joined from the rival DIY chain B&Q this year, will be stepping up as acting managing director.