Richard Bennett has been appointed the new retail director for Spar UK.
Bennett will take up his new role later this month, replacing Steve Blackmore, who moved up to the newly created position of supply chain and management information director in April (The Grocer, April 16, p18).
He joins Spar after an 18-year career with Marks and Spencer, starting as a trainee manager for its store in Windsor, Berkshire. He progressed to head M&S stores in Belfast, Norwich, Liverpool, Lakeside and its flagship store in Marble Arch, London.
He also spent two years as country manager for M&S in
Greece and the Greek Islands, working with M&S’ Greek franchise partner, the Marinopoulus Group. During his time in Greece, Bennett was responsible for developing a five-year strategy for the group and facilitating the changes.
In 2001, he was appointed area manager for M&S’ central London Neighbourhood stores and then area manager for central London Simply Food stores. In this role he was responsible for the roll-out of M&S’ Simply Food brand within London, opening and operating 12 stores within a year.
Jerry Marwood, MD for Spar, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard. He has enjoyed a successful and wide-ranging career with a leading retailer and, most importantly, he has a great deal of experience of retailing at the sharp end.”
RHM has appointed Roger Matthews and Michael Baulk as non-executive directors. Matthews was previously group finance director for Sainsbury and Baulk is chairman and CEO of advertising agency BBDO AMV Group. They will take up their roles on September 1.

Allied Bakeries has appointed Jon Wilson to the new role of head of marketing for its Kingsmill bread brand. Wilson has previously worked for Kraft and Reckitt Benckiser.

Dickenson moves up
Neil Dickenson, European customer development director for Johnson & Johnson, has been promoted to marketing director for Johnson & Johnson UK. In his new role, Dickenson will be responsible for the marketing of all Johnson & Johnson’s consumer products in the UK. He replaces André Baradat, who has left the role to take up a new position for Johnson & Johnson in France.
Beth Brooks
Directors named
Wilson joins Allied

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