Brakes Group has appointed Dave Hughes as UK marketing director.

Hughes joins the foodservice wholesaler from Game, where he was chief marketing officer before the video games retailer collapsed into administration in March.

Before Game, he was director of M&S Direct, where he designed and implemented the retailer’s multi-channel strategy and launched the first mobile-compatible transactional site for a high street retailer.

He previously held roles at Sainsbury’s, Travelport, KPMG and was a non-executive director at Clinton Cards.

At Brakes, Hughes will use his experience in e-commerce, multi-channel selling and customer relationship management to oversee all marketing in the UK, across all sectors and channels.

James Armitage, who was appointed marketing director at Brakes in 2007, remains at the company in the new role of independent marketing director and will report to Hughes.

“His in-depth knowledge of the independent customer, strength in trade marketing and experience in enabling the sales force for success, makes Armitage uniquely qualified,” a Brakes spokesman said.

Adam Martin has also joined Brakes in the newly created role of customer solutions director. He joins from Mitchells & Butlers, where he was marketing and strategy director. Martin left the pub and restaurant group last year and has been working as a consultant. His new role at Brakes will involve developing a better understanding of and communication with Brakes’ customers.

Earlier this year, Stefan Barden left Brakes following a management restructure that saw his position as UK chief executive officer axed.

Brakes is third in The Grocer’s Big 30 ranking of UK wholesalers. It reported improved first-half profits after passing on cost inflation.

Topics