Nisa’s chief operating officer, Amanda Jones, is to become COO of Bargain Booze owner Conviviality Retail in December.

The move sees Jones reunited with friend and former colleague Diana Hunter, Conviviality’s CEO.

Jones has been at Nisa for just 16 months. Before that she worked at Waitrose from 2002 to 2013 where she developed new retail formats, ultimately becoming head of development (home). Before Waitrose, she was at M&S, latterly as business development manager for its international franchise group.

“I am thrilled to be joining Conviviality at such an exciting time,” Jones said. “It is a business with excellent potential and I look forward to working with Diana and the wider team to further grow the business and maximise the company’s strategic objectives and considerable business opportunity.”

Hunter added: “Amanda brings with her unrivalled experience and an impressive track record in the independent retail and convenience segment that is highly relevant to [Conviviality] at this stage in its development.”

Jones’ appointment brings to an end a two-month search by Conviviality Retail for a new COO following the departure of franchise director Keith Webb. At Nisa, Jones played a key role in transforming the buying group into a retail business, with a greater focus on the consumer.

Nisa chairman Christopher Baker said: “I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the significant contribution Amanda has made during her short tenure in initiating the transformation of Nisa’s journey from wholesaler to retailer and putting in place a strong executive team for the future.”

The executive team now has two separate business units - for symbols (led by Nigel Gray), and for independents and specialists (led by Steve Leach). Long-term Nisa directors Andrew Mouse, John Sharpe and John Heagney have all left Nisa in the past year as a result of the restructure.

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