Unitas Wholesale strengthens trading team

Unitas Wholesale has strengthened its trading team over the past few months to improve member support, enhance supplier relationships and deliver collaborative initiatives.

Martin Shears

Alex Trotman

Lee Wharton

Under the lead of trading director Cheryl Hope, the team now includes Lee Wharton as on-trade trading controller, Alex Trotman as licensed trading controller (retail) and Martin Shears as procurement manager – central services.

Wharton joined Unitas in June with more than 20 years’ experience in the UK’s drinks industry, predominantly within the on-trade sector, having worked for Heineken, Molson Coors and Suntory Beverage & Food GBI.

Trotman moved to Unitas in April from Diageo where he was a national account executive for the wholesale channel, and Shears has just joined Unitas, bringing more than 30 years’ procurement experience from working with businesses including wholesalers, foodservice operators and retailers to manage their spend.

John Kinney, managing director of Unitas, commented: “Lee, Alex and Martin bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience that will be a real benefit to our members and their customers.

“As the UK’s biggest independent buying group, we pride ourselves on providing the best support and the most competitive trading terms and promotions in the industry. Our new team members will play an important role in delivering these to help our members grow their businesses.”