Gary Neville visits Manchester-based Rayburn Trading

Left to right: Rayburn Trading’s managing director Howard Goldman and buyer Joe Keane with Gary Neville and Rayburn’s buying director Russell Goldman.

Gary Neville, football commentator and former Manchester United player, visited Rayburn Trading recently.

The visit was sponsored by Mondelez through its Cadbury FC programme, in recognition of the Manchester-based wholesaler’s performance in confectionery.

Rayburn Trading achieved the biggest uplift in sales of chocolate in the first quarter of 2023 compared to its competitors within the Sugro buying group.

The wholesaler, which marks its 65th anniversary this year, originally specialised in the toiletry and household sectors, but drinks and confectionery, which were introduced around 12 years ago, are now key sales drivers, worth a total of £30 million during 2022.

As a result of this success, Mondelez invited Gary Neville to attend Rayburn. He had a tour of the showroom and warehouse, followed by a Q&A session, and he met the Rayburn team.

Howard Goldman, managing director of Rayburn Trading, said: “It was fantastic for Gary to see our warehouse and meet the staff. He was interested in how our operation works and was interested to open an account with us.

“He was very generous with his time signing shirts and answering questions, and we even found out his favourite chocolate bar – many thanks to Joe [Keane, a buyer at Rayburn] and Mondelez for organising such a great day.”