Maplin appoints Darren Shapland as non-exec chairman
Electronics retailer Maplin has appointed Darren Shapland as non-executive chairman.
Due to take up his new role on 1 September, Shapland will succeed John Lovering who retired as chairman in June.
Shapland has over 25 years’ retail experience which includes senior financial and operational roles with The Burton Group/Arcadia and Kingfisher. From 2005 to 2010, he was chief financial officer at Sainsbury’s before becoming group development director. Most recently, he was chief executive at Carpetright and is currently chairman of discount retailer Poundland.
Maplin chief executive John Cleland said: “We are all delighted to have the opportunity to work with Darren. He brings a wealth of business and retail knowledge which will undoubtedly add momentum to the solid growth and success of the business last year.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!With over 200 stores in the UK and Ireland, Maplin has doubled its product range in the last two years and has invested both in its store estate and the creation of a new website. In June, the company was sold to private equity firm Rutland Partners in an £85 million deal.
Shapland said: “I am delighted to be working with Maplin as non-executive chairman. The business model is unique and the company has great plans for its future. I’m looking forward to joining a great team.”
