Bestway Wholesale, under managing director Dawood Pervez, has appointed Andy Cresswell chief retail officer – one of several changes at the C&C/wholesaler.
New chief retail officer Andy Cresswell.
His responsibilities cover company-owned and franchised stores including Bargain Booze, Select Convenience, Central Convenience and Wine Rack.
Cresswell joins from MRH, recognised as the largest independent fuel retailer in the UK, where he was MD, Retail.
He has also held senior positions with Midcounties Co-Operative, where he worked for 14 years. Before that he was in store management with Somerfield, Tesco and Safeway.
Cresswell takes over from David Robinson, who had announced that he would be leaving Bestway Retail this year.
Robinson joined Conviviality Retail in 2016. Following its purchase by Bestway last year, he helped strengthen the business, improve availability and retail margin, and develop an enhanced franchisee incentive plan.
Another change sees Tony Holmes become retail director, Bestway Wholesale, overseeing retail sales for the best-one symbol group, retail multiple accounts and Bestpets.
Holmes, who joined the company as sales director three years ago, also takes over responsibility for retail business development from James Hall, who is to step down as business development director of Bestway Wholesale.
David Livingstone has been promoted to the new post of head of catering and Ashar Rehman has become head of operations; he was formerly regional operations manager.
Commenting on the appointments, Pervez said: “We are committed to ensuring we always deliver the best service to our customers, thus providing a clear solution for everyone, whether that’s a franchise proposition through Bestway Retail, symbol group and retail club through Bestway Wholesale and Bestway and Batleys cash & carries, full-service delivered catering through BB Foodservice and Drinks Express or a collect catering range for customers in depot.
“Splitting the retail and catering elements into two separate teams, and having Bestway Retail reporting to me, will enable all of our brands to be aligned and focused for the benefit of customers.”
