Food and drink industry veteran Allan Leighton is set to succeed Charles Wilson as president of GroceryAid.
Leighton will take on the prestigious position on 1 January 2022, following the completion of Wilson’s two-year tenure as president from January 2020.
He is currently chairman at the Co-op, BrewDog and Pizza Express.
“The grocery trade has been a huge part of my life since I was a child, and I was honoured to be asked to take on this vital role,” said Leighton. “As we emerge from Covid, I plan to work with the GroceryAid team to ensure the charity is there for all colleagues in those times when they need our support. I look forward to building on the excellent momentum generated by my predecessors.”
Wilson added: “It has been a pleasure to serve as GroceryAid president for these past two years. The charity is very dear to my heart, and I am delighted to be handing over to such a capable successor as Allan. I know he is equally determined that we continue to work with colleagues across the supply chain to ensure we support grocery people in need as effectively as possible.”
GroceryAid chairman Ruston Smith commented: “This is excellent news for GroceryAid. The Trustee Board is delighted that we will benefit from the considerable energy, insight and expertise of Allan. We will remain forever grateful for the very special contribution made by Charles leading us through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are very fortunate to continue to have such revered industry leaders, as our president, as part of our succession plan.”
Leighton spent 18 years at Mars from 1974 to 1992 before joining Asda, where, alongside Archie Norman, he oversaw a period of major growth for the supermarket leading up to its aqcuisition by Walmart in 1999.
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