Pets at Home has announced the appointment of Steve Shirley as Operations Director - Retail.

Steve, 46, has extensive retail experience, having spent nearly 30 years with supermarket chain Asda, most recently as Vice-President Wholesale and Convenience where he had responsibility for the end-to-end operating model and proposition of Asda Express Stores.

Steve will report to Lisa Miao, Chief Operating Officer Retail, with the appointment completing the senior retail leadership team. Taking responsibility for all Pets at Home’s 457 stores, Steve will lead the retail operations and field teams as the business continues to develop its estate across the UK.

Steve, who is married with two children and a pet Labrador, Cooper, held senior roles during his time with Asda including five years as Vice-President of Retail Operations with responsibility for all Asda supermarket stores. Prior to that he held numerous positions as a senior retail director, running stores across Manchester and Lancashire, and later Yorkshire.

Steve, who is a Liverpool FC fan, is particularly proud of the teams and colleagues that he helped develop during his time with Asda and of the retailer’s introduction into smaller format stores.

Lisa Miao, Chief Operating Officer Retail, said: “It is great to welcome Steve to the team. He is a very experienced, results-driven and respected retailer and hasdeveloped a wealth of experience across end-to-end retail operations, including establishing a broad range of store formats.”

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “I’m very excited to be joining Pets – not many businesses can provide such a rich offer - combining health, grooming and retail all under one brand.

“I was also very struck by the collaborative culture that seems to be such a key component of Pets at Home’s continuing success story. I can’t wait to get started and meet as many of my new colleagues as possible.”