John Cleland has 30 years’ experience in retail, most recently as CEO of Maplin Electronics where he led the four-year repositioning of the business and its subsequent successful sale.

Prior to this Cleland was CEO of Esporta Health and Fitness, again in private ownership with the sale of the business to Virgin Active in 2011.

In the preceding decade he played key roles in the Somerfield take private transaction as Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to this he was commercial Director at B&Q, Senior Vice President Operations WalMart Japan, Retail MD Asda stores Limited and Director of buying ASDA stores limited.