Fraught UK electrical retailer DSG International (DSGi) has appointed John Allan as the company’s new chairman.

He will succeed John Collins who announced he was hanging up his DSGi boots last June. Allan will be handed the keys to the chairman’s door when Collins retires on 2 September.

He will retire from that post in June to join the DSGi board as a non-executive director before assuming his chairmanship in September.

DSGi, which runs Currys and PC World in the UK as well as other stores throughout Europe, has seen sales take a substantial bruising over the past 18 months, with many cash-strapped shoppers shunning the electrical goods retailer.

Just last week the firm reported a ten per cent drop in revenues at stores open at least a year for the three months ended 10 January.

Allan acknowledged that DSGi has been having a rough ride, although he prefers to see his appointment as an opportunity. “I am delighted to be joining DSG international at this important time in its development,” he said. “The Group has many challenges as well as significant opportunities under the Renewal and Transformation plan.

"I am looking forward to renewing my involvement in retail and being part of the business as it continues to execute this plan and improve its offering for customers.” ®

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