Donal Horgan is to step down as managing director of Musgrave GB after more than three years in the role.

Horgan will be replaced by Peter Ridler, a former retail director of Tesco UK, on Tuesday 6 May. He will leave the Musgrave Group after 17 years service and return to Ireland.

Ridler’s most recent UK position was as managing director of Monsoon Accessorise. Previous positions also include CEO Tesco Poland and managing director of Body Shop.

In an email to Budgens retailers seen by C-Store, Chris Martin, Musgrave Group CEO, said: “As the grocery retail market goes through fundamental and permanent structural change, with discounters becoming more mainstream and the multiples intensifying competition in the convenience sector, we remain focused on strengthening the Budgens brand.”

Budgens retailers have paid tribute to Horgan, with one describing his departure as a “sad day and a big blow”.

Another retailer added: “When Donal took over it was the best thing that had happened to Budgens for a long time. He had a very good understanding of the market and had an answer for everything. It’s a real blow to lose someone with so much direction.”