Hart is new boss at Big W

WOOLWORTHS is rapidly turning into a mafia of former Dixons staff. Chief executive Trevor Bish-Jones, who left the High Street electrical chain earlier this year, has headhunted ex-Dixons managing director Jonathan Hart to run the 'Woolworths Big W' stores.

Hart spent 14 years at Dixons before a brief sojourn as chief executive of internet firm ITM Communications. He will be among familiar company - Woolies chairman Gerald Corbett and retail director Steve Lewis both worked at Dixons.

Hart takes over from Bob Hetherington, who has been poached by Kingfisher for a 'secret' job. Kingfisher, which owned Woolies until it was floated last year, said: 'We are not able to confirm what position he will take.'

The money is on a roll at its Castorama DIY chain in France. Kingfisher boss Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy needs all the help he can get. He is struggling to buy out the minority stake in Castorama amid stiff opposition from the management.