Pet care business completes executive team appointments

Pets at Home, the Handforth-based pet care business, has appointed William Hewish as chief information officer (CIO).

He has a wealth of experience and joins the Cheshire business from United Utilities, where he spent the past six years leading the technology, data and business change teams.

He has previously had senior technology roles in companies such as Lloyds pharmacy, DeVere Hotels and Booker.

The CIO position is a new role for Pets at Home and will help the group to deliver on its strategic IT needs of the whole group well into the future.

Mr Hewish will report to Peter Pritchard, Pets at Home group chief executive, and will join the business in early 2019.

Peter Pritchard said: “I am delighted to have recruited someone of William’s calibre to take on our new role of chief information officer, an appointment which now completes our group executive team.

“William’s knowledge will play a key role in supporting the strategic IT needs of our business as we move towards a more integrated, digitally-led approach.”

He added: “William has the experience and know-how to help integrate our digital platforms, build systems that are fit for the future and, in turn, help us better serve the needs of pet owners.”

William Hewish said: “Pets at Home is a brand I have admired, and one which commands a unique position in the UK pet care market.

“Having delivered major digital transformation programmes previously, I’m excited by the prospect of leading strategic change across the business with the aim of helping our colleagues and partners better serve our customers and clients.

“I look forward to starting in my new role and helping the group deliver on its ambitions to be the world’s number one pet care business.”