WiggleCRC appoints new CEO

WiggleCRC, the firm created following a merger between Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles, has appointed Will Kernan as its new chief executive, replacing Stefan Barden. Kernan will take up the role in March.

Kernan arrives having worked for the past five years as CEO of The White Company. Before that, he was COO at New Look.

Kernan said: “I’m delighted to be joining WiggleCRC at this juncture – a time of change and momentum within the business. The company has a very well invested foundation from which to build an even more compelling customer proposition and accelerate its global growth.”

WiggleCRC chairman, Brian McBride, said: “Will brings substantial retail experience and an understanding of strong consumer brands. His track record of growth at The White Company along with his leadership of large-scale businesses will be especially relevant during this next phase of the WiggleCRC growth strategy.”

McBride also wished Barden well in ‘going plural’.

“The Board thanks Stefan Barden for all he has done over the past three and half years in leading the company from no.2 to no.1 in the industry, and then to a successful merger with CRC. We wish him every success in the future as he goes plural. Stefan passes on a company with an improved market presence, capability and talent pool.”

In October, WiggleCRC announced it was to move 300 jobs from Northern Ireland to England in a bid to speed up delivery times. Around the same time, the firm was reported to be refusing currency-related price increases from its suppliers.

The firm’s UK turnover topped £100m in 2015.