Value retailer Wilko has appointed the former director of retail stores at Argos Anthony Houghton, as its new retail director.

The move comes as Wilko prepares to expand in London and the South East, reportedly with plans to add prime high street locations to its portfolio, including Oxford St and Tottenham Court Rd, as well as in Brixton, Camden Town, Hackney, Victoria, Surrey Quays, Ealing Broadway and Greenwich. Prior to Argos, Mr Houghton worked at Woolworths, Phones 4U and Dixons Retail before joining renewables and environment company Pedigree Group, totally 25 years in the retail industry.