Officeworks’ David Haydon leaves to join Bunnings’ UK operation

Only a day after Wesfarmers pulled its $1.5bn IPO of Officeworks, the stationery company has lost a key executive.

Officeworks’ David Haydon is leaving to join Bunnings’ British operation, which opened its first store in St Albans Hertfordshire in February 2016, above.

Only a day after Wesfarmers pulled its planned $1.5 billion IPO of Officeworks, the stationery company has lost a key executive and potential chief executive candidate.

David Haydon was credited with rejuvenating the Officeworks product range and turning it into one of the Perth-based conglomerate’s fast-growth businesses.

Mr Haydon, who joined Officeworks in 2013 as its director of merchandise, marketing, supply chain, store development and e-commerce, will stay within the Wesfarmers family but has been named trading and commercial manager of Bunnings’ Britain and Ireland division.

It is believed Mr Haydon’s decision to leave for Britain was a personal one and not linked to the decision by Wesfarmers to pull the plug on float plans for Officeworks.

But the loss leaves a big gap to fill, with the executive reporting directly to Officeworks chief executive Mark Ward and responsible for a wide range of functions at the retailer, covering the merchandise in the stores, its extensive supply chain and engagement with customers.

Officeworks has stood out from the pack at Wesfarmers, posting high growth rates at a time when the broader retail sector is floundering. In 2013 Officeworks expanded earnings by 9.4 per cent, increasing to 10.3 per cent in 2014, 14.6 per cent in 2015 and 13.6 per cent last year.

Mr Haydon will bring to his new role a solid background in hardware, having held senior roles for leading British hardware chains B&Q and Wickes, both of which are now competitors with Bunnings as it ramps up its store network through Britain and Ireland.

Mr Haydon will join the Bunnings UK leadership team, reporting to managing director Peter Davis. He will also sit on the company’s steering committee.

Before joining Officeworks, Mr Haydon was commercial and marketing director for Kingfisher’s international businesses, overseeing commercial and marketing strategies for high-growth markets such as China, Poland, Russia and Turkey.

At B&Q he was director of trading and commercial strategy.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team at this exciting time,” he said.

“Working together to create something special in what is the dynamic UK home improvement market will be both a challenge and a great deal of fun.”

Providing an update on Bunnings UK, Mr Davis said: “It has been an exciting start to 2017 as we continue to deliver phase one of our strategy.

“We have successfully opened two Bunnings Warehouse pilot stores in St Albans with Hemel Hempstead, (with) Milton Keynes due to open over the next couple of months, followed by Folkestone in July.

“Feedback from customers and the community has been very positive and now we are focused on developing the program, which will see at least 10 stores open by the end of the year.”