Booker strengthens foodservice team by recruiting three senior executives from Brakes

Booker has strengthened its foodservice leadership team with a series of senior appointments. The new structure takes effect in January 2027.

Jonathan Langford is the new director of independent sales – south.

Kathy Gerrard is appointed to the newly created role of director of CRM & sales enablement. She will lead sales effectiveness for the foodservice division, including the sales training programme. Gerrard joins Booker from Brakes, where she spent 13 years, latterly as regional sales director.

Leigh Baker continues as director of proposition, shaping Booker’s end-to-end customer offer across range, pricing, service, digital journeys and customer experience.

Dave Jones continues as director of independent sales – north, and is joined by Jonathan Langford, as director of independent sales – south. Between them, they will lead Booker’s regional sales teams supporting independent operators across the UK. Langford also joins Booker from Brakes, where he spent 13 years, latterly as head of your way local & sales enablement.

Tom Brown, director of sales – key accounts heads up the team looking after larger and multi-site customers with more complex, specialist requirements. Another recruit from Brakes is Matthew Atkins, who joins Booker as director of sales – new business. He also spent 13 years at Brakes, latterly as head of key accounts new business.

Nev Irani, managing director of foodservice at Booker, said: “Our customers range from single-site independents to large multi-site groups, and they all need a wholesaler that understands their business. This team gives us fresh experience and better reach to do that. We now have specialists in place for independents in the North and South, for national accounts and for new partnerships, so whatever the size of the operation, there’s someone at Booker ready to help.”

Irani added that Booker is still expanding the team – for more information, see Booker’s website.