3i-backed Action, a leading non-food discount retailer based in the Netherlands, has appointed Adrian Bellamy as Chairman with immediate effect.

Adrian brings more than 40 years retail experience from across the globe, including as CEO of two large international retail groups; Edgars, the South African specialty store business, and Duty Free Shoppers, the global airport retailer.  He also has extensive international experience gained from both his executive and non-executive career.

He was Executive Chairman of The Body Shop where he was instrumental in leading the turnaround of the business in the US, and later in the UK. He was also Chairman of The Gucci Group for 10 years, an NED of Labelux, the Swiss-based private conglomerate which owns brands including Jimmy Choo and Bally, and has been an NED on the board of Gap since 1995.

He is currently Chairman of Reckitt Benckiser, the UK-based FTSE 100 consumer goods business and Chairman of Williams-Sonoma, the large US retailer including brands such as Pottery Barn and West Elm.

Adrian’s depth of international experience and his strategic insight into expanding businesses across borders will be greatly beneficial in supporting Action’s future growth plans, as the company continues to expand from its Benelux roots. In addition, his best-in-class retail pedigree will help Action scale its operations in the most efficient and effective way as it continues to grow.

Adrian is also Chairman of a large, privately owned, wine, spirit and beer merchant retailer in the US, so has affinity with the consumer value model which is core to Action’s business and has a strong understanding of working with owner managed businesses.

Menno Antal, 3i Managing Partner, commented: “We are delighted to have found Adrian to join the Board of Action. His wide-ranging experience of the retail sector, including discount retailers in particular, and his insight and advice will be invaluable as we continue to grow Action, both in the Benelux and internationally.”

Adrian Bellamy commented: “I am really excited to be joining Action as Chairman. The company has built a very strong brand in the discount retail market and is successfully expanding its international footprint. I look forward to working with Ronald and the team to continue Action’s growth strategy.”

Ronald van der Mark, CEO of Action, commented:  “We are delighted that Adrian will be the Chairman of Action. He has an excellent reputation in the industry and his extensive retail experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business, both in the Netherlands and internationally.”

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For further information, contact:

3i Group plc
Laurie Yeh
Tel: +44 20 7975 3126
Email: laurie.yeh@3i.com

Notes to editors:

About 3i Group

3i is a leading international investor focused on mid-market private equity, infrastructure and debt management across Europe, Asia and the Americas. For further information, please visit: www.3i.com.

About Action

Established in 1993, Action has shown continuous growth and has become the leading non-food discount retailer with a sizeable position in the Netherlands and Belgium and a growing presence in Germany and France.  The company offers a selection of branded and non-branded product categories, including DIY, personal care, household, textiles and seasonal products. Action currently has 373 stores and employs more than 13,000 people. For more information, visit www.action.nl.