Duncan Jelfs high res

Source: Parfetts

Jelfs brings 38 years of retail and wholesale experience to the newly created role

Parfetts has appointed former Appleby Westward commercial director Duncan Jelfs as its new regional business manager for the south west.

The move reflects Parfetts’ plans to expand its symbol group presence in the area, which includes fascias Go Local, Go Local Extra, The Local, and the newly launched forecourt format, Shop & Go.

Starting the newly created role on 9 December, Jelfs brings 38 years of retail and wholesale experience. He most recently held the role as commercial director for Spar wholesaler Appleby Westward, where he oversaw its sales, marketing, and pricing proposition.

Before this role, Jelfs held several senior roles at Bestway between 2018 and 2023. Most recently, he was head of franchise at Bestway Retail, where he managed multiple accounts, for Bargain Booze, Co-op franchise, and Costcutter.

“I have always thoroughly enjoyed working with independent retailers to help develop their stores, sales, and profit,” Jelfs said. “I look forward to continuing this passion with Parfetts and building our presence in the south west.

“The employee-ownership model at Parfetts means they continue to invest back into their customers and their team. It’s a unique proposition in our industry, and we’re already seeing strong growth across the UK.”

Guy Swindell, joint MD of Parfetts, said: “Duncan’s years of experience and proven track record in the retail and wholesale sectors make him a fantastic addition to our team. He offers retailers in the south west unrivalled knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm, which will be invaluable in building relationships and expanding our presence in the region.”

Parfetts continues to grow, with the launch of an eighth depot in Birmingham last year and over 1,300 retailers now in its symbol estate. It also operates depots in Aintree, Anfield, Halifax, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Somercotes and Stockport.