Wholesaling veteran and independent retail champion Steve Parfett, MD of Parfetts Cash & Carry, this week confirmed plans to hang up his boots in October 2012, naming finance director David Grimes as his successor.
The outspoken MD, who helped parents Alan and Pat start up the company in 1980, revealed in May last year he would leave the family business within five years after handing over ownership to staff.
"We are conscious that when we made the announcement of Parfetts becoming an employee-owned business that we would also put in place a timescale for myself to withdraw from the company," Parfett said. "We decided to make the announcement about my successor well in advance of my retirement so we can work closely together to ensure a smooth transition to the new team."
Grimes has worked at Parfetts for more than a decade, holding senior roles including finance director and deputy general manager. Prior to Parfetts, he was a senior member of the wholesaler's accountant's audit team.
Meanwhile, trading director Bill Pace is set to retire at the end of the year, after more the 25 years. He was one of the first non-family members to be invited on to the board of directors of the company.
Pace will be replaced by Greg Suszczenia, who moves up from senior trading manager. He has worked at the company for more than 15 years having joined as a junior buyer before progressing to manager of Parfett's Halifax depot. He then left for four years to set up two c-stores before returning last year.
"Parfetts could not have achieved the success we have without Bill Pace's exceptional contribution," said Parfett. "Bill will always be a legend within Parfetts, and I believe, the wider industry.
"Between David and Greg, there is a wealth of experience within the industry and with Parfetts, and we are delighted that, as a result of our company culture, we have been able to appoint two such able individuals from within the company."
The outspoken MD, who helped parents Alan and Pat start up the company in 1980, revealed in May last year he would leave the family business within five years after handing over ownership to staff.
"We are conscious that when we made the announcement of Parfetts becoming an employee-owned business that we would also put in place a timescale for myself to withdraw from the company," Parfett said. "We decided to make the announcement about my successor well in advance of my retirement so we can work closely together to ensure a smooth transition to the new team."
Grimes has worked at Parfetts for more than a decade, holding senior roles including finance director and deputy general manager. Prior to Parfetts, he was a senior member of the wholesaler's accountant's audit team.
Meanwhile, trading director Bill Pace is set to retire at the end of the year, after more the 25 years. He was one of the first non-family members to be invited on to the board of directors of the company.
Pace will be replaced by Greg Suszczenia, who moves up from senior trading manager. He has worked at the company for more than 15 years having joined as a junior buyer before progressing to manager of Parfett's Halifax depot. He then left for four years to set up two c-stores before returning last year.
"Parfetts could not have achieved the success we have without Bill Pace's exceptional contribution," said Parfett. "Bill will always be a legend within Parfetts, and I believe, the wider industry.
"Between David and Greg, there is a wealth of experience within the industry and with Parfetts, and we are delighted that, as a result of our company culture, we have been able to appoint two such able individuals from within the company."
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