Dunelm Group plc, the UK homewares retailer, has announced the appointment of Katharine Poulter as a non-executive director. She will become a member of the audit and risk, remuneration and nomination committees.

Poulter has a retail background and significant experience in large and entrepreneurial consumer-facing businesses. She is currently the chief commercial officer at McCarthy Stone, a developer and manager of retirement communities. Prior to this, she was the chief commercial officer at Indigo Books & Music Inc., a Canadian book retailer. Poulter started her career in retail at Marks and Spencer Group Plc and has held senior roles at Laura Ashley, Hobbycraft, Wilko and Dobbies Garden Centre, among others.

Alison Brittain, chair of Dunelm, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Katharine to Dunelm. I have no doubt that her wide-ranging retail experience will add value as we continue to build on our unique and specialist proposition. Her appointment reflects our ongoing focus on ensuring effective board composition with complementary skills, and I look forward to working with her.”