American Golf chief hired to run Pets at Home

Pets at Home, the private equity-backed retailer, has hired Nick Wood, head of American Golf, as its new chief executive.

The retailer of pets accessories had been searching for a new boss since Matt Davies decided to step down in the autumn after 10 years at the 308-store chain.

Pets at Home was acquired by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in a deal worth £995m in 2010.

Mr Wood, the existing chief executive of American Golf, is experienced in dealing with private equity firms. Lloyds Development Capital sold the UK's biggest golf equipment retailer to Sun European in December.

Pets at Home has grown both profits and sales in recent years, delivering underlying earnings of £93m in the 53 weeks to 31 March 2011.

The retailer grew its like-for-like sales by 4.9 per cent in the six weeks to 12 January. All parties declined to comment yesterday.