Focus DIY appoints top marketer

Focus DIY has appointed former MFI marketer Michael Greenhalgh as its head of marketing.

Michael Greenhalgh joins Focus immediately and takes responsibility for the DIY chain’s marketing, advertising and customer communication.

He will report to chief commercial officer Brian Robbins at the retailer’s head offices in Cheshire and work alongside brand director Richard Bird.

Previously, Greenhalgh held marketing director and group marketing director roles at furniture chain MFI.

Focus has been looking to fill the marketing chief role since last Autumn.

David Moore held the role on an interim basis until October 2009.

Last year Focus was saved from collapse when its creditors reached a company voluntary agreement (CVA) with landlords to save the struggling chain.

The chain owed landlords £12m in property rent for 38 vacant stores. The deal saw Focus paying creditors a portion of what it owed – the equivalent of six months rent in two lump sums.