SimplyFresh has appointed international convenience big-hitter Tim Chalk as its new CEO.
The appointment will see SimplyFresh co-founder Kash Khera become COO, whereby he will take up a more operational role handling the day to day running of the business, while Chalk will be more focused on the strategic direction of the business and driving its future growth plans.
Chalk has headed up his own consultancy over the past two years. Before that he spent a year as group commercial director at Dairy Farm International, a Jardine Matheson Group company that spans over 7,400 supermarkets, hypermarkets, health & beauty and convenience stores in 11 Asian countries with sales in excess of U$21bn per annum.
This followed five years as CEO of 7-Eleven in Hong Kong and Macau, operating over 1,000 company and franchise operated stores.
Prior to moving to Asia, Chalk held senior roles in Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Alldays.
“During this time of transformation in our sector there is no better person to lead SimplyFresh than Tim Chalk,” said Khera. “Tim is a proven leader with hardcore industry skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision, knowledge and experience from around the world is exactly what SimplyFresh needs as the company enters its next chapter of innovation and expanded store growth.
“The opportunity ahead for SimplyFresh is vast but to achieve it we must focus clearly on our objectives, move faster and continue to transform. A big part of Tim’s job is to refine the strategy and accelerate our ability to quickly bring innovative products and services to our customers.
“SimplyFresh is coming up to 100 stores. We’re on track and we’re growing. Interesting new things happening in the new year.”
Chalk said: “SimplyFresh is one of those rare companies to have truly challenged the mainstream c-store sector and embraced new ideas and changing customer needs. I am honoured to have been chosen to lead the company to the next level.”
SimplyFresh creative director Davinder Jheeta commented: “Tim is clearly the best person to lead SimplyFresh and he has the unanimous support of our board. The board took the step that our shareholders, customers, partners and employees expected and deserved. With his vast experience in all retail sectors, Tim will bring great experience to an already visionary brand and help us seize the many opportunities that present themselves today and in the future.”
No comments yet