Pets at Home has appointed Richard Dening-Smitherman to the role of managing director of the company’s vet group Vets for Pets.
Dening-Smitherman was most recently chief operating officer of Burger King UK (BK), where he oversaw sales growth through digital channel expansion, developed operating standards and built strong relationships with franchise owners, including implementing a representative UK franchise committee.
Prior to this, he was chief executive officer at Nando’s in the Middle East, leading the expansion of franchise opportunities across the region, as well as holding leadership roles at Waitrose and at healthcare technology company Intraject. He also served as a British Army Officer with the Royal Tank Regiment and was performance manager for the British Olympic Biathlon Team.
He said: “I am truly delighted to be joining the Pets family as managing director of the Vet Group. Pets is an amazing business with a passionate and caring team that is truly creating a better world for pets and the people who love them.
“Our Vets Group is a world class clinical team, and I am excited to meet everyone and support our business success as we continue building the world’s best pet care platform together.”
Pets at Home chief executive Lyssa McGowan added: “Richard has fantastic experience delivering success with some of the biggest brands in franchise-based organisations, which will be invaluable in this new role to protect and nurture our unique joint venture model and to continue the development of our vet business.
“I am looking forward to working closely with him to achieve the opportunities ahead and to support our practice owners and clinical teams as we continue to deliver on our purpose of creating a better world for pets and the people who love them.”
