David Wild

Wild joined Halfords in 2008 and he is leading the car maintenance and cycles retailer through an exciting phase in its history. He has got money to spend and is driving acquisitions, purchasing Nationwide Autocentres in February - a sensible addition to the business.

HobbyCraft and Blacks were also mooted as possible targets this year, and the affable yet shrewd Wild has signalled that there will be more acquisitions to come.

Halfords has proved a robust performer in the recession and Wild’s experience at retail behemoths Tesco and Walmart will have played no small part in his contribution to the business.

Wild’s decision in March to close the loss-making Czech Republic and Poland arm gave the business a chance to accelerate domestic growth, and when it comes to growing the business, Wild has his foot firmly on the pedal.