Slark comes in following Peter Wood's retirement

Plumbing group BSS has appointed Gavin Slark to become its chief executive from the 1 January.

Slark, who is currently the chief operating officer of the group's trading operation, replaces Peter Wood, who announced his retirement at BSS's interim results in November.

Slark, who in 2002 joined BSS from ICI Dulux Decorator Centres, said: "Over the past four-and-a-half years, he [Wood] has steered the transformation of the group and built a strong reputation and confidence for its employees and customers."

Under Wood the group quadrupled its market capitalisation and profit - in its last full-year results pre-tax profit was £34.5m, up 42% on 2003.