Best Buy Europe Appoints Scott Wheway As New CEO

Best Buy Europe - the joint venture between the UK's Carphone Warehouse and US based Best Buy - has announced that Scott Wheway, age 42, has been named chief executive officer. Wheway will report to the shareholder board of Best Buy Europe. He assumes responsibility for all Best Buy Europe operations, including The Carphone Warehouse's 2,450 stores across nine European markets, its online and direct businesses, insurance operations and "big box" Best Buy stores that are planned in Europe and due to open in the U.K., beginning next year.

Wheway spent 20 years at Tesco Stores, the world's fourth-largest retailer. There, he worked his way up from the sales floor to senior executive leadership positions, including operations director and change director. Most recently, Wheway served as managing director of Boots the Chemist. He also is a non- executive director of Aviva PLC, the UK's largest insurer with operations in 28 countries across the world.

"It was just one year ago that we announced the creation of Best Buy Europe and described our vision to transform consumer electronics retailing across Europe. I am delighted that Scott has agreed to lead Best Buy Europe into its next chapter," said Robert Willett, chairman of the Best Buy Europe board and CEO of Best Buy International. "Scott is the consummate retailer. He's never forgotten his roots as a line-level store employee, and he remains passionate about meeting customer needs. His energy and background are a brilliant fit for this exciting challenge as we move forward with our strategy in Europe."

Wheway joined Best Buy International, the strategic business unit focused on the enterprise's growth outside of the United States, as chief operating officer in May. He will no longer serve in that capacity; his focus will be on growing Best Buy Europe.

Posted to the site on 3rd August 2009