Dixons Retail names new CEO

Dixons Retail, a UK-based consumer electronics retailer, has appointed Sebastian James as the group chief executive officer (CEO), effective 20 February 2012.

James will replace John Browett, the current CEO, who will be leaving the company to take up the role of senior vice president of Retail at Apple. Browett will leave the company on 20 April 2012, following a handover period.

James joined Dixons in April 2008 and is currently serving as Group Operations director. Prior to joining Dixons, he held a number of CEO roles for private-equity backed ventures. Early in his career he was strategy director at Mothercare and worked for Boston Consulting Group.

The company has appointed Katie Bickerstaffe as the new CEO - UK & Ireland, who will also join the board on 20 February. Bickerstaffe played vital role in launching Knowhow. More recently, she has also been responsible for the e-Commerce operations in the UK & Ireland.

Prior to joining Dixons in June 2008, Katie was managing director of Kwik Save and group retail director and group HR director of Somerfield.