John Hardy has returned to vacuum retailer Godfreys as interim CEO, effective immediately.

Hardy replaces Jason Gowie, who resigned as CEO and executive director on 25 May.

The company has also appointed former COO of Munro Footwear Group David Lee as CFO, following the resignation of Andrew Ford last week.

Hardy was previously Godfreys CEO from 1983 to 2010 and again from mid-2016 to December 2017.

Godfreys chairman Nick Stretch said Hardy’s appointment would provide stability to the organisation as it completed the transition to ownership by Arcade Finance, owned by Godfreys’ 99-year old co-founder John Johnston and his family.

Godfreys announced on 6 June Arcade had received acceptances from more than 80 per cent of shareholders.

Arcade plans to de-list Godfreys from the ASX and to operate it as a private company.