Navigating Executive Transitions: B&M's Strategic Leadership Refresh

Interim CFO Helen Cowing's Abrupt Departure and Immediate Succession Plan

Helen Cowing, who had served as B&M's interim Chief Financial Officer and executive director for under five months since her appointment in December 2025, has left the company with immediate effect. Her departure follows that of former CFO Mike Schmidt, creating a vacancy that the company has moved quickly to fill. Peter Waterhouse, currently the group financial controller, has been named as the new interim CFO, assuming the role immediately until a permanent replacement is found.

The Rise of Peter Waterhouse: A Decade of Financial Expertise at B&M

Peter Waterhouse brings extensive experience to his new interim CFO position. Having joined B&M in 2013, he steadily advanced within the finance department, eventually becoming the group financial controller in 2020. His prior roles include senior finance positions at Johnson Service Group and Logica, underscoring his deep financial acumen and understanding of corporate operations.

Strengthening Governance: Peter Pritchard's Appointment to the Board

In a separate, yet equally significant, development, B&M has announced the appointment of Peter Pritchard as a non-executive director, effective immediately. Pritchard's impressive background includes serving as group CEO at Pets at Home from 2018 to 2022, and holding previous positions at prominent retailers such as Asda and Wilko. He also currently serves as a senior independent director and chairs the remuneration committee at AO World, bringing a wealth of retail and governance experience to B&M's board.

Vision for Growth: Pritchard's Perspective on Joining B&M

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Peter Pritchard commented on B&M's unique market position. He highlighted the company's robust value-driven offerings, disciplined operational framework, and clear potential for sustained expansion. His remarks reflect a belief in B&M's strategic direction and its capacity for future success.

Enhancing Human Capital: Jennifer Lawrence to Lead New Group HR Function

Further bolstering its leadership, B&M has announced the impending arrival of Jennifer Lawrence as Group People Director, effective May 5, 2026. Lawrence will spearhead a newly established group human relations (HR) function, overseeing HR strategies across B&M UK, B&M France, and Heron. With over 25 years of HR experience from companies like Boots Opticians and Costcutter, and most recently as executive people and transformation director at Card Factory, she is well-equipped to drive B&M's talent and people strategy.

CEO Tjeerd Jegen on Strategic Appointments and Future Outlook

B&M CEO Tjeerd Jegen lauded the new appointments, particularly highlighting Jennifer Lawrence's expanded role and the creation of the new HR function. He emphasized the critical importance of employees as stakeholders alongside customers, noting that Lawrence's appointment will enhance service to staff and deepen the diversity of leadership talent within the organization. Jegen also expressed confidence in Peter Waterhouse's experience as interim CFO and extended gratitude to Helen Cowing for her contributions during her tenure. B&M's preliminary financial results for the fiscal year ending March 28, 2026, are slated for release on June 3, 2026, which will offer further insights into the company's performance amidst these executive changes.