Industry veteran Phil Hackney returns to Pets at Home for Supply Chain and Distribution Director role
Phil Hackney is starting a new position as Supply Chain and Distribution Director at Pets at Home. He joins from Matalan, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. Hackney also held the same role at The Very Group and had a previous run at Pets at Home (serving as Logistics Director).
Sarah Findlater
Pets at Home recently announced the appointment of Sarah Findlater as Group Chief People Officer, with responsibility for its Retail, Vets and Insurance businesses. Findlater joins from Marks & Spencer, where she spent almost 30 years in various leadership roles.
Most recently, she served as Chief People Officer, helping to shape the company's culture, leadership and organisational performance during a period of significant business transformation. She will join Pets at Home on 2nd November and will report directly to Chief Executive Officer James Bailey.
Bailey said: "I am delighted that Sarah is joining us to help lead Pets through its next chapter. She is an experienced people leader and retail veteran, and her expertise will be invaluable as we sharpen our strategic focus and continue to strengthen the special Pets culture. Both of which are fundamental to helping to deliver on our ambitious plans."
Findlater said: "I am thrilled to be joining Pets. Great people and strong cultures build great businesses, and that's something I have been passionate about throughout my career. From everything I've seen and heard so far, there is huge energy, ambition and opportunity across the business, and I can't wait to get started."
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Supply chain technology will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
