Former Virgin Megastores MD and Zavvi CEO joins retailer to take over the daily running of the business, with MD Bayley becoming group chairman
Fonehouse has appointed Simon Douglas as its new CEO. The retailer’s managing director Clive Bayley moves to the role of group chairman.
Douglas has experience in the retail sector having held the roles of operations director at HMV, managing director of Virgin Megastores and CEO of Zavvi, the former retail group created from the UK arm of virgin Megastores, which was liquidated in 2009. At Virgin and Zavvi, Douglas managed 50 Virgin mobile concessions.
He is now tasked with improving the running of the Fonehouse business, including integrating its B2B opportunities. Bayley (pictured) will work closely with Douglas to develop the retailer’s strategy, and will be looking for new opportunities that will further strengthen the Fonehouse brand.
Last month Bayley told Mobile News it planned to add 30 new franchise stores by the end of next year, taking numbers beyond 80. He claimed there had been a rise in interested franchisees looking to join Fonehouse’s scheme, with a number of current franchisees looking to open additional stores.”
“The current opportunities has with EE, iPhone 5, B2B and fast growing franchise operations is immense,” he said. “This is a golden opportunity for all involved.”
Douglas said: “I am delighted to be joining Fonehouse at such an exciting time. The business has many opportunities and I look forward to working with Clive and the team to realise them.”
