Focus boss to take helm at Wickes

Wickes has appointed Colin Ball to the position of marketing director, as part of a major board restructure at Focus Group.

The group, which bought Wickes and Great Mills last year, will be managed through two operating companies – Wickes for business-to-business services and Focus Do It All (FDIA) and Great Mills at the consumer end of the market.

Ball takes on the marketing role at Wickes after two years as development director at FDIA.

The board restructure means Jill Keen, marketing director for Great Mills, will also take on responsibility for FDIA. She replaces former FDIA trading director David Pearson, who becomes managing director of Great Mills and FDIA.

Bill Archer continues as executive chairman of Focus Group with Geoff Wilson, former commercial and finance director for FDIA, now Focus’s deputy chairman.

David Robey, former commercial director at Wickes, was recently appointed Focus Group marketing director (MW January 4). Barry Norris, formerly managing director of Great Mills, is Focus’s new chief executive, and Richard Bird, formerly Focus’s commercial director, is now managing director of Wickes.

Focus Group holds a 15 per cent share in the UK DIY market.