Dudley Ramsden has retired from the board of Today’s Group - the wholesale buying group he formed in 1987.

Ramsden, who was also the joint founder of Nisa, retired as executive chairman of Nisa-Today’s in 2006 but kept a seat on the board of Today’s Group. Today’s split from Nisa to become a separate company in 2012.

“Dudley formed Today’s to benefit wholesalers in much the same way as Nisa did for independent retailers,” said Today’s Group managing director Bill Laird. “In the 27 years since, Today’s has grown to become by far the largest and most successful buying group of its kind in the UK.”

Fellow long-serving board director Sucha Singh, of Thames Cash & Carry, has also retired from the board.

Of Singh, Laird said: “Sucha’s extensive business acumen combined with his supportive style has earned him the respect and admiration of fellow directors, wholesalers and suppliers alike.”

Ramsden and Singh will be replaced on the board by Dudley’s son Nick Ramsden, group managing director of DB Ramsden, and Fukhera Khalid, managing ­director of Elbrook Cash & Carry.