Confex has introduced retail and foodservice dedicated divisions with the aim of providing the best possible support for its members while it continues with its ambitious growth strategy.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the group has doubled in size and turnover and now represents more than 12% of the UK wholesale sector.

Kirsty Winkel has been appointed to the newly-created post of retail controller.

This growth, and the Cotswold-based group’s ambitious growth plans, has resulted in CEO Tom Gittins and COO Jess Douglas creating a new structure for the business.

“Confex has always celebrated its diverse range of wholesale members, servicing all product categories with a focus on local independent customers,” said Gittins.

“These changes will provide us with a clear and dedicated focus for both our retail and our foodservice members which, in turn, supports our growth plans. As our turnover has grown from £1.97 billion to £3.46 billion in the past four years, we are confident that this change in structure will ready us for future growth and enable us to hit our target of becoming a £4 billion buying group by 2027.”

One of the key drivers for this restructure has been the success of the dedicated retail and foodservice committees that were introduced in 2022. Recognising the differences within the group’s membership, these committees comprise key members who meet monthly to discuss Confex’s strategic pillars across trading, technology, marketing, own brand, distribution, execution and operations.

As a result of the restructure, former senior business development manager Kirsty Winkel has been promoted to the newly-created position of retail controller. She will oversee the retail division of the group, while foodservice controller Matt Norman will oversee the foodservice and out-of-home division.

Confex members are supportive of the change. Millennium Group’s director of wholesale Keith Parmar said: “As a Confex board member, we are delighted with the ongoing growth and progress we are seeing across the group.

“We welcome the development of a more formalised retail and foodservice division, which in turn will drive future success both for existing and new wholesalers who join us.”