Leading online multisport retailer Wiggle has appointed Giles David as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective from 1 June. He joins the retailer from the building contractor, developer and investor firm United House, where he was also CFO.
Giles David held the same role at Brighthouse, the UK’s leading rent-to-own retailer offering instalment deals on consumer electronics, domestic appliances and furniture. He previously worked with O2, Energis, M&S Direct and Esso Petroleum.
At Wiggle, David succeeds Jim Buckle who is leaving to become Chief Operating Officer at cosmetics retailer Feel Unique.
Origins
The origins of Wiggle can be traced back to a small independent bike shop called Butler Cycles, which had been trading since the 1920s. The bricks and mortar shop was located in Portsmouth, UK, and employed a handful of staff.
Wiggle officially started trading on 28 May 1999 for an initial investment of just £2000 by founder Mitch Dall and his new business partner Harvey Jones. Wiggle’s first official premises was a modest spare room at the back of the ‘Bikes @ Butlers’ store. To get their online business off the ground, Mitch and Harvey started selling some of the shop’s stock on the internet.
In April 2009 Mitch Dall sold his shares in Wiggle to the private equity company ISIS Equity Partners (who had invested in Wiggle in 2006) and to Wiggle’s existing management team.
Wiggle was sold to the private equity investment company Bridgepoint in December 2011.Bridgepoint specialises in investing in middle market businesses and is ‘driving Wiggle forward and ensuring that the company continues to raise the bar and provide a great service and stocking the very best products.’
