Pets at Home has announced that Lyssa McGowan will join as the company’s new chief executive from June 1.

Ms McGowan will succeed Peter Pritchard, who announced his intention last November to step down from his role in summer 2021 and will remain with the business until May 31.

McGowan will be appointed to the board as chief executive designate on April 25. She is the outgoing chief consumer officer at Sky UK, with responsibility for the consumer business serving more than 10 million customers.

Ian Burke, Pets at Home’s chairman, said: “Lyssa brings strong corporate, strategic and operational expertise across a range of consumer-facing businesses, and a proven track record of growth at Sky, with significant experience in customer and digital-first initiatives across multiple channels and sites.

“Following an extensive search process across internal and external candidates, the Board believes that Lyssa has the requisite skills and capabilities to lead Pets at Home as it executes its future growth strategy.

“Lyssa’s commercial and strategic experience will undoubtedly be of great benefit to Pets at Home, and I very much look forward to working with her.”

Ms McGowan said: “I am thrilled to be joining Pets at Home as chief executive. It is a fantastic business with a unique, integrated business model, and a strong purpose-led culture fuelled by the shared passion of over 15,000 colleagues and partners to care for pets, and the people who love them.

“I am excited to work with the board and executive management team to lead Pets at Home on its journey to being the best pet care business in the world.”