Former Kingfisher and MFI director Steven Round named chief executive of Robert Dyas.
Mr Round will join the private equity-owned hardware retailer at the end of May, according to Retail Week.

He replaces Rob Cissell, who is leaving to become chief operating officer of Wal-Mart China.

Mr Round's CV has a marketing slant, however his work as managing director at MFI was well regarded by retail analysts.

Shortly after his appointment as managing director he initiated a business review that drove up sales and re-focused the brand as an upmarket furniture retailer.

Mr Round's career has taken him to Superdrug as marketing chief. He left Superdrug in 2000 to work for Woolworths as managing director where he was responsible for the development and launch of the new general store format.
He also worked on a temporary basis for Kwik Save, and before his appointment as ceo of Robert Dyas was a consultant.

Robert Dyas, which has 105 stores across the south of England, generates sales of about £100 million a year.

Stores vary in size from 9,000 sq ft to 1,250 sq ft (99 stand alone Robert Dyas stores and six concessions in Somerfield supermarkets).

Its vision for the future includes developing its online presence and to have 120 Robert Dyas stores by 2008.