Consumer veteran Shapland to replace Boddy as Hollywood Bowl chair

7th Oct 2024 09:11

(Sharecast News) - Hollywood Bowl Group, the UK and Canada's largest ten-pin bowling operator, announced on Monday that Peter Boddy would retire as chairman and step down as a director at the end of its annual general meeting on 30 January, after 10 years with the company.

The FTSE 250 company said Darren Shapland, an experienced executive in retail and consumer businesses, would join the board as an independent non-executive director and chair designate on 1 December.

He would also become a member of the nomination and corporate responsibility committees.

Shapland would formally succeed Boddy as chair of the board and chair of the nomination committee following his election as a director at the AGM.

The board said Shapland would bring a wealth of experience from his 35-year career, having held senior positions such as chief financial officer of J Sainsbury and chief executive officer of Carpetright.

He is currently a non-executive director at JD Sports Fashion, and previously held several chair and audit chair roles, including at Poundland and Ferguson.

"Peter has been an exceptional chairman over the last 10 years - on behalf of the Board, I'd like to thank Peter for his insight and counsel," said chief executive officer Stephen Burns.

"We are immensely grateful for his support which has helped Hollywood Bowl Group develop, grow and achieve so much during his tenure.

"Peter will be succeeded by Darren who brings a depth of financial, business and international knowledge that will help Hollywood Bowl Group reach its ambitious goals."

At 1001 BST, shares in Hollywood Bowl Group were down 0.65% at 306.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.