Name: Alan Coates
Was: Group community and trade relations director for United Biscuits
Now: Non-executive director for Goldteam

Career background: “I joined United Biscuits in 1970 as a graduate trainee and in my time at the company held various roles across sales, marketing, production and later corporate social responsibility. During my time I oversaw a lot of changes in the business due to the evolution of the marketplace.”

What are you doing now? “As well as being on the board of Goldteam, I’m involved in initiatives both in and outside the sector, including being a trustee of FareShare. On top of this, I’m a trustee of the John Lewis Foundation and of the British Airports Authority Trust. I’m also involved in Knowledge Peers, an organisation that offers online business support to SMEs, and with Caravan as a judge for its awards programme.”

What were your biggest achievements in grocery? “Helping United Biscuits to develop strategies for both its branded and own-label products. This was a significant challenge because United Biscuits was a major supplier for both its proprietary brands and the supply of retailer brands for the marketplace. Our proposition for both sectors needed to be equitable and compelling and overall we managed to achieve our objectives in both categories.”

Do you miss grocery? “I left grocery 10 years ago but I’m still involved in the sector through the work of Goldteam. I regularly see my peers at industry events and it’s satisfying to see those people who were juniors only a few years ago as successful middle managers and directors.”

Would you come back? “Grocery was a huge part of my life and the people were great but I’ve done my time and I’m now enjoying a different type of interaction with the sector.”

Where are you now? Are you searching for a former colleague who you’d love to get in contact with again, or would you like to appear in this column? Contact Beth Phillips on beth.phillips@thegrocer.co.uk or 01293 610227.

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