Parfetts has appointed Cheryl Hope as its new trading director.
She joins the business from Unitas where she was also trading director for three years. Hope has also held senior positions at AF Blakemore & Son, Iceland, Co-op and Bako Northwestern.
Replacing Gurms Athwal, who left the business earlier this month, Hope will report to joint MDs Guy Swindell and Noel Robinson.
“Parfetts has a fantastic reputation with retailers, suppliers and the wider industry,” said Hope. “It is great to join the team and support the national expansion plans through strong, collaborative supplier relationships.
“The employee ownership model of the company sets it apart from the rest of the industry, and you can feel the difference when you meet people from across the business. It’s exciting times ahead.”
Swindell added: “Cheryl is a hugely experienced professional with a fantastic understanding of the sector. She’s ideally placed to support our ambitious growth plans and take our focus on supporting retailer margins to the next level.”
Hope’s appointment comes as Parfetts prepares to open its ninth depot, at 113,000 sq ft, in Southampton this summer, creating 100 jobs.
The expansion will strengthen Parfetts’ national footprint and service to retailers across the south coast and Greater London, it said. It also aims to grow its network of convenience stores operating under its symbol group fascias, which are Go Local, Go Local Extra, The Local, and Shop & Go.
“Our trading team plays a vital role in helping us support our customers and maintain relationships with suppliers,” said Robinson. “Cheryl is a strong fit for our values and brings a customer-first mindset. She’s a fantastic addition to the business.”
Unitas Wholesale MD John Kinney said: “While Unitas is naturally disappointed to be losing Cheryl, who has led the trading team for more than three years, we are incredibly proud of the significant achievements made during her tenure, and we are pleased that Cheryl will remain within the Unitas group, as she takes on the role of trading director at Parfetts — one of our largest members who we know has ambitious expansion plans — located closer to her hometown.
“Under Cheryl’s leadership, we have seen a notable increase in revenues returned to members and strengthened relationships with our supplier partners. Cheryl’s commitment and dynamism have built a robust trading team that will continue delivering incremental benefits for our members and strong ROI for our suppliers. I wish her every success in her new role.”
Unitas has also confirmed that Athwal has stepped down as a Unitas board director with immediate effect. Kinney extended his thanks to Athwal for his valuable contributions to the Board and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Victoria Lockie also left Unitas in April where she was retail director for six months.
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