Mothercare pointer as it nets new boss

A clue to where Mothercare sees its future arrived today with the appointment of an internet-savvy chief executive.

Simon Calver, who will join on April 30. is presently the boss at LOVEFiLM, the DVD rental service that is owned by online giant Amazon. He has also worked at PepsiCo and Dell.

The appointment of Calver, 47, follows the departure of Ben Gordon last October after a series of profit warnings. At the moment, the business is being run by chairman Alan Parker, the former head of Whitbread.

Parker said: "Mr Calver's e-commerce and brand expertise will enable Mothercare to accelerate its development as a multi-channel retailer."