Tandy picks new boss in reshuffle

The electrical retailer Tandy is promoting marketing director Andrew Fryatt after a reorganisation sparked by the departure of managing director Eamon Bradley.

Bradley is leaving to take up the post of managing director for general domestic appliances at the joint venture between GEC and GE of the US. He will take charge of the Hotpoint, Cannon and Cresta brands. The move is a curious one because it is understood that George Simpson, the new chief executive of Hotpoint’s parent company GEC, is to put the company’s stake in the white goods division up for sale.

Tandy says it is too soon to determine whether it will be recruiting a replacement for Fryatt, who will continue to supervise marketing when he takes over from Bradley. Fryatt joined Tandy in March from Woolworths, where he was advertising controller.

Tandy is the UK’s largest high-street electrical retailer, with more than 300 stores. Its ad agency is Young & Rubicam.

Simpson, formerly chief executive of Rover then Lucas, has taken on the same role at GEC. He replaces Lord Weinstock, who retired in July.

Simpson is expected to put many parts of the sprawling industrial group – including Hotpoint – up for sale.

It is believed that the process will start after a strategic review of the whole business in September, though some of the disposals may be made before then.