Busy Bees has appointed a new group chief executive to succeed Simon Irons, who is stepping down after a 25 years with the company.

Busy Bees has appointed Peter Gowers, former group chief executive of Europcar and chief executive of Travelodge, as group chief executive. Gowers will take on the role on 8 July, having worked alongside with Irons from 20 May to ensure a smooth transition.

The nursery group has also appointed Rob Roger as chair of the Busy Bees board, taking over from Robert Walker from 1 October 2025. Walker has served as chair for 11 years and will continue on the board in order to ensure continuity.

“I joined Busy Bees in 2000 with the initial ambition, shared with founders John Woodward and Marg Randles, to become the UK’s leading early years educator,” said Irons. “Throughout my time we’ve grown the business by putting children at the heart of everything and taking Busy Bees into market leadership in multiple countries..”

Marg Randles, co-founder of Busy Bees, added: “Simon’s unwavering dedication and visionary leadership have transformed Busy Bees into the global childcare community it is today. Together, we’ve nurtured not only children but also a shared dream—one grounded in the founding principles of care, respect, and opportunity.”

In addition to his roles at Europcar and Travelodge, Gowers has acted as head of strategy, chief marketing officer and chief executive for Asia-Pacific at IHG, the owner of InterContinental Hotels and Holiday Inn, as well as chief executive of European property and services business Safestore.

“Simon’s leadership has shaped Busy Bees into what it is today – a trusted, forward-thinking childcare provider focused on giving every child the best start in life,” said Gowers. “I’m looking forward to continuing that journey, staying true to our values while also embracing innovation and opportunity.”