Halfords has announced the appointment of Sarah Haywood as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), marking a significant leadership move as the company accelerates its digital transformation journey. She succeeds Adam Gerrard, who is stepping down after nearly two years with the motoring and cycling retailer.
Sarah Haywood joins Halfords from the Carlsberg Group, where she played a pivotal role in reshaping the organisation’s digital and technology landscape. During her tenure, she led large-scale transformation initiatives focused on modernising systems, strengthening digital capabilities, and driving innovation across global operations.
Her career spans senior technology leadership roles at Mondelēz International, Kraft Foods, and Cadbury Schweppes, bringing with it deep expertise in managing complex, global change programmes and aligning technology with business growth strategies.
In her new role, Sarah will lead Halfords’ digital transformation agenda, a core pillar of the company’s strategy to deliver integrated retail and service experiences across motoring, cycling, and leisure. Her priorities will include enhancing customer and colleague experiences, modernising data infrastructure, and improving operational resilience as the business continues to invest in digital tools and automation.
Commenting on her appointment, Sarah Haywood said that Halfords holds a unique position in the UK market and that digital transformation will be central to shaping the company’s future. She added that she is excited to be part of the organisation’s next phase of growth.
Halfords CEO Henry Birch welcomed the appointment, noting that Sarah’s extensive experience in transforming technology capabilities across complex global organisations will be instrumental as the company strengthens its systems, improves customer and colleague experiences, and prepares for long-term growth
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