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Leisure retailer Halfords has appointed Wal-Mart executive David Wild to head the company.

Mr Wild is currently senior vice president for new business development at Wal-Mart US, and led Wal-Mart Germany prior to this.

Halfords has been without a chief executive since February, when Ian McLeod stepped down.

Paul McClenaghan, director of trading, and Nick Wharton, finance director, have led the company as acting joint managing directors since Mr McLeod's departure.

Mr Wild said: "Halfords has some very attractive market positions and exciting opportunities for continued growth as well as sound defensive qualities. I am delighted to be joining such a strong team and I look forward to leading the company onto further success."

Before joining Wal-Mart, Mr Wild spent 18 years at Tesco, rising to group supply chain director.

Halfords chairman Richard Pym said: "We are delighted that David will be joining Halfords. He brings over 20 years' retailing experience, gained at two world leading businesses, and clearly has the skills and ability to move the company forward."

Automotive and leisure products retailer Halfords has proved robust in the current consumer slowdown, delivering a 4.3 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in the year to March 28th. Profit before taxes increased by eight per cent to £90.2 million.

Shares in Halfords rose 0.56 per cent in morning trading on the London Stock Exchange.