Former Very Group CEO to take over as Halfords boss

Halfords has announced that Graham Stapleton is stepping down as CEO, with Henry Birch replacing him in the role.Stapleton has led Halfords for over seven years, and during his tenure has helped see annual revenues grow from £1.1bn to £1.7bn, with more than half of sales now service-related.

Henry Birch is the former CEO of the Very Group, and was previously CEO of Rank Group Plc and William Hill online. He has experience with both consumer and retail industries, both online and multi-site, with a “strong record of growth and transformation across different sectors and in leading successful teams”. 

Stapleton said: “Following a performance to be proud of in FY25 and after seven years leading the transformation of Halfords from a cycling and motoring retailer to an omnichannel motoring services super-specialist, it is time for me to hand over the reins for the next phase of the business’s evolution. I wish Henry and the team all the best.”

Chair Keith Williams added: “Graham has transformed the Halfords business to make it fit for the future, leading it through a challenging period including the Covid pandemic and a global macroeconomic slowdown. On behalf of the board I would like to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the business throughout his tenure.

“The board is also very pleased to be welcoming Henry to Halfords. We are very confident that he has the skills and experience to take the business forward in the next phase of its long history.”

Birch said: “I am delighted to be joining Halfords and am excited for the journey ahead. While the current challenging consumer and economic outlook appears unlikely to subside in the short-term, Graham is leaving behind a business that is well-positioned for success in the years ahead and I look forward to building on these strong foundations to generate long-term value for all our stakeholders.”