Phil Smith, MD of Musgrave Retail Partners GB, which owns Budgens and Londis, has resigned following a boardroom shake-up at Musgrave Group.
Smith (pictured), who is also chairman of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and has been MD for the past three years, has been replaced by Musgrave veteran Donal Horgan.
Horgan, who will take up the role of MD of Budgens and Londis, is currently MD of SuperValu and Centra in the Republic of Ireland. He will take up his new role on Monday.
Smith’s exit marks the second major departure in the independent sector this week, after Spar UK MD Jerry Marwood on Wednesday revealed plans to step down next summer.
Smith joined Musgrave GB in June 2007 from National Lottery operator Camelot Group, where he was commercial and operations director. He has also held marketing roles with Somerfield and Kraft Foods.
A spokeswoman for Musgrave Group said Smith was “moving on to pastures new”.
“Phil has done a great job and has put all the structures in place,” she said. “We’re really excited about all the new changes.”
Horgan joined Musgrave in 1997 as finance and logistics director. In 2004 he became MD of SuperValu and Centra. During that time Musgrave said he had led the fascias’ development into two of Ireland’s best-known retail brands.
“Donal will be using his extensive knowledge of the Musgrave business, the business model and experience in growing world class brands to the benefit of the Budgens and Londis brands, our retail partners in GB and to leading the GB team,” the spokeswoman added.
Other changes to the board include Noel Keeley, currently Musgrave HR director, who takes up the position of MD for Musgrave Wholesale Partners. Martin Kelleher, currently MD of Musgrave Wholesale, takes on Horgan’s former roles with SuperValu and Centra in Ireland.
Sharon Buckley, group commercial director, will assume responsibility for supply chain across the group.
“Throughout this recession we have continued to invest in our business and particularly our retail partners across Ireland, the UK and Spain,” said Musgrave chief executive Chris Martin.
“The success of that strategy has given us a platform to drive future growth in each of our markets and positions us to profitably grow the business for Musgrave and our retail partners in 2011.”
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