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Steve Barnett had been trading director for 15 years and helped launch Costco UK in 1993
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His presence will be “missed at every level within the company” said Costco
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Barnett leaves behind his wife Annette and two children Jessica and Izzie
Wholesale giant Costco UK has confirmed that trading director Steve Barnett died yesterday due to coronavirus.
The wholesaler shared the sad news with colleagues today and paid tribute to Barnett, who was one of the original set-up team when the US business first launched in the UK in 1993.
“With deep sadness we want to let everyone know of the passing of Steve Barnett. Steve was a businessman, a tremendous leader and a very good friend to many at Costco,” Costco said. “His presence and personality will be missed at every level within the company here in the UK and across the international Costco team.
“The impact that Steve has had on Costco UK cannot be measured. The buying team’s ethics, drive and success are as a result of Steve’s leadership. Steve’s fundamental belief in Costco’s ethics and the impact on the welfare of Costco employees and vendors was the focus of his every instruction and continuing development of a sustainable buying programme was his passion. It is all about the people and Costco’s ethics is how he started many presentations to employees, vendors and conferences and his actions showed this was true every day.”
Barnett had held the trading director post for 15 years and had also sat on the Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ council.
“Everyone at FWD is devastated to hear of the loss of Steve Barnett, our colleague and friend at Costco,” said FWD CEO James Bielby.
“Steve made a massive contribution to both Costco and the wholesale sector’s development over many years and was one of the original Costco team in the UK. His pride at working for Costco was evident to all who encountered him.
“Suppliers who dealt with Steve knew him as the toughest of negotiators but one who was held in the highest respect, with his dry sense of humour and sense of decency apparent to all.
“Steve was a great supporter of FWD as the Costco Council representative, and a regular speaker at our conferences and seminars. His insightful contributions and unfailing support were hugely valued by all his fellow FWD members.
“Steve had a great sense of fun and loved a wind-up, but he was the one of the nicest and kindest people in our industry, as well as someone who took a huge interest in the world around him, with some strongly argued but sincerely held opinions on a whole range of issues. Thank you for everything you did for our trade Steve, you will be missed by us all.”
Barnett leaves behind his wife Annette and two children Jessica and Izzie.
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