Steve Caunce steps down as chief executive of AO World
AO World chief executive Steve Caunce has stepped down from his position.
In a statement, the electricals retailer said Caunce had taken the decision to enable him to take a “less demanding business role and re-balance his lifestyle” although he will remain involved in the business on a part time basis as an adviser to the new chief executive and the board.
In his two years at the helm Caunce oversaw AO’s rapid expansion of its European operations and widened its product categories. This included the acquisition of Mobile Phones Direct.
Caunce has been succeeded as chief executive by AO founder John Roberts who previously led the business until February 2017 when Caunce took on the chief executive role.
Commenting on the news, Roberts said: “Steve has played a vital part in AO’s development and in the last two years has created the foundations for our future success. I look forward to continuing to work with him, as I have over the last 13 years.
“AO’s future is incredibly bright given our depth of talent at all levels of the business. I am fully committed to the business and the execution of our focussed strategy and can’t wait to get stuck in again as chief executive as we move onto the next exciting stage of the AO story.”
