Poundland boss to step down over health issues

The chief executive of Walsall-based discount retailer Poundland is stepping down over health issues.

Andy Bond will leave the firm, which is owned by Pepco, at the end of March. He will be replaced on an interim basis by the current group chief operating officer Trevor Masters.

Bond has overseen a major expansion of the Pepco group, which also owns the Dealz outlets. Over the last decade, the company has grown from 200 stores in the UK to over 3,500 in 19 countries. The firm was listed on the Warsaw stock exchange last May. He was previously boss of supermarket giant Asda.

Bond said: “Every great journey must come to an end and it is with much reluctance that I have decided now is the right time to focus my energies on my health.”