Parfetts appoints Cheryl Hope as trading director

Parfetts has appointed Cheryl Hope as trading director. She joins the business from Unitas, where she led the trading team for three years.

Hope (pictured) replaces Gurms Athwal, who has left the business.

She reports to the company’s joint managing directors, Noel Robinson and Guy Swindell, and brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held senior positions at AF Blakemore & Son, BAKO Northwestern, Iceland and Co-op.

Hope commented: “Parfetts has a fantastic reputation with retailers, suppliers and the wider industry. It is great to join the team and support the national expansion plans through strong, collaborative supplier relationships. The employee-ownership model of the company sets it apart from the rest of the industry, and you can feel the difference when you meet people from across the business. It’s exciting times ahead.”

Swindell added: “Cheryl is a hugely experienced professional with a fantastic understanding of the sector. She’s ideally placed to support our ambitious growth plans and take our focus on supporting retailer margins to the next level.”

The news follows the recent announcement of the planned opening later this summer of Parfetts ninth branch – a 113,000 sq ft depot in Southampton. The wholesaler is creating 100 jobs in Southampton.