B&M interim CFO Cowing steps down

(Sharecast News) - B&M European Value Retail said on Friday that Helen Cowing has stepped down from her role as interim chief financial officer and as an executive director with immediate effect. Group finance controller Peter Waterhouse has been appointed to the role with immediate effect.

The discount retailer said Waterhouse has been a key member of the finance team since joining in 2013 and became group financial controller in 2020. He trained and qualified with PwC before working in senior finance roles at Johnson Service Group and Logica.

B&M said he will continue in his role until a permanent CFO is appointed.

In addition, the company announced the appointment of Peter Pritchard as a non-executive director, also effective immediately.

Pritchard was group chief executive of Pets at Home from 2018 to 2022 and brings 40 years of retail industry experience to B&M, including prior roles at Asda and Wilko.

B&M also said on Friday that Jennifer Lawrence will be joining the retailer as group people director, effective 5 May. She will lead a new group HR function that brings together teams across B&M UK, B&M France and Heron.

Lawrence brings more than 25 years of experience in HR, having held senior leadership roles at Boots Opticians, Costcutter and most recently as executive people and transformation director at Card Factory.

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