Best Buy Europe names CEO

Best Buy Europe has named its CEO ahead of next year’s introduction of ‘big box stores’ into Europe.

Scott Wheway, 42, moves up from his role as COO – which he accepted in May, and now relinquishes.

Wheway will report to the shareholder board of Best Buy Europe. He assumes responsibility for all Best Buy Europe operations, including The Carphone Warehouse’s 2,450 stores across nine European markets, its online and direct businesses, insurance operations – and the planned Best Buy ‘big box’ stores.

Wheway spent 20 years at Tesco, where he worked his way up from the sales floor to senior executive leadership positions, including operations director and change director.

More recently, Wheway served as managing director of Boots the Chemist. He also is a non- executive director of Aviva PLC, the UK’s largest insurer with operations in 28 countries across the world.

"It was just one year ago that we announced the creation of Best Buy Europe and described our vision to transform consumer electronics retailing across Europe. I am delighted that Scott has agreed to lead Best Buy Europe into its next chapter," said Robert Willett, chairman of the Best Buy Europe board and CEO of Best Buy International.

"Scott is the consummate retailer. He’s never forgotten his roots as a line-level store employee, and he remains passionate about meeting customer needs. His energy and background are a brilliant fit for this exciting challenge as we move forward with our strategy in Europe."

Best Buy Europe was created in May, 2008, when Best Buy Co., Inc. and The Carphone Warehouse PLC agreed to create a new company ‘to meet the evolving needs of consumer electronics customers in Europe’.