Alan Parker to take the helm at Mothercare

FORMER Whitbread chief executive Alan Parker was yesterday named as the new chairman of Mothercare, as Ian Peacock signalled his intention to step down after nine years at the helm of the embattled retailer.

Peacock said he felt the "time is right to move on. Chief executive Ben Gordon said Parker brought with him "extensive international experience in franchising and in building consumer-facing brands".