In the news: Incoming Home Retail chief executive John Walden profiled

Walden, who was unveiled as Duddy’s successor this morning, has helped transform the catalogue retailer during his two years leading the business. He has sealed a deal with eBay for the online giant to use Argos stores as collection points, launched a slick new digital store format that did away with physical catalogues all together and appointed digital guru Bertrand Bodson to the retailer.

Yet when Duddy first appointed Walden as Argos’ new boss in Februrary 2012, eyebrows were raised.

The American was unknown in the UK, unsurprising given his most recent role was as chief executive of US cleaning products firm Activeion.

Investec analyst David Jeary says: “He was an unknown quantity, not the banner appointment investors were hoping for.”

But Argos was not looking for a familiar face – it was seeking a fresh perspective to help improve the business. Argos’ sales had been in decline for the past three years. The retailer scoured the globe to find the right man and sent out an international, cross-industry brief.

And Walden was not just a cleaning products man. Scratch the surface of the American’s CV, an extensive history in multichannel retailing emerges – including eight years at Best Buy, the world’s largest consumer electronics firm.

During his time at Best Buy, Walden was integral in developing its multichannel business and launched the retailer’s first online offer.

The 52-year-old was in fact a pioneer in the online world, and was chief operating officer of web-based grocer Peapod in 1995, when Ocado was merely a twinkle in Tim Steiner’s eye.

Walden’s experience stretches beyond online, however. At Best Buy, as well as leading its internet business, he also spent time at the helm of its HR and customer business group.

Walden – placed in the role by headhunter Sue Shipley, who recently moved from Odgers Berndtson to the Miles Partnership – is more than just a corporate man.

He has an entrepreneurial streak and set up his own retail consultancy advising private equity firms on potential acquisitions, after leaving department store group Sears.

His experience meant that from day one, many had him pegged as a potential successor for Duddy.

Although some analysts had reservations of his lack of experience in the UK market.

Many wanted Walden to take a radical approach in the UK where Argos had been struggling in tough conditions and against a widening field of rivals, including the supermarkets and etailers. And in many ways, Walden has not disappointed.

High on his to-do list was IT and marketing. Walden had a further challenge to undertake: relocating from Minneapolis to Milton Keynes, where Home Retail’s HQ is located.

Walden is understood to have actively sought the move to foreign climes to broaden his experience now that his sons have pretty much grown up. And he clearly settled in quickly, boosting Argos’ fortunes and improving its like-for-like performance. With Argos now better placed to face the challenging trading environment, the former cleaning products man can start working on the group, which includes Homebase. Let’s hope it scrubs up well.