Musgrave Retail Partners GB managing director Phil Smith has been named as the new chairman of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors.
Smith, who has been at the helm of Budgens and Londis wholesaler Musgrave GB for three years, replaces Francis Ball, who stands down after four years in the role. Chris Etherington, chief executive officer of Palmer & Harvey, has been named deputy chairman and will take on the chairman role next year.
Smith said he planned to focus on compliance and sustainability during his tenure. "I am looking forward to representing the interests of FWD members. In particular aiming to reduce the burden of compliance so that wholesalers can operate in a fair and competitive market," he said. "Another priority is driving forward the sustainability agenda."
Ball, a former managing director of Costco UK, became chairman of the FWD in 2006. He was named as one of the most influential people in wholesale in The Grocer's Power list in 2007 for emerging as a figure of authority and imagination at the FWD.
He played a key role behind the scenes in one of the FWD's greatest successes convincing the government to tighten up the law relating to duty fraud.
Ball said the appointments of Smith and Etherington, both from delivered operators, were significant as they reflected the changing nature of FWD to include all types of wholesaler and not just cash & carry.
"This really shows the breadth of reach that FWD now has," said Ball. "It fully represents all sectors within the wholesale sector including foodservice."
He said the past four years had been "surprisingly enjoyable" and that he would retain a keen interest in helping smaller wholesalers and suppliers in the grocery sector.
"Francis has had four fantastic years as chairman," said FWD chief executive James Bielby. "He has been an endless source of help, support and guidance to me and my predecessor."
Smith, who has been at the helm of Budgens and Londis wholesaler Musgrave GB for three years, replaces Francis Ball, who stands down after four years in the role. Chris Etherington, chief executive officer of Palmer & Harvey, has been named deputy chairman and will take on the chairman role next year.
Smith said he planned to focus on compliance and sustainability during his tenure. "I am looking forward to representing the interests of FWD members. In particular aiming to reduce the burden of compliance so that wholesalers can operate in a fair and competitive market," he said. "Another priority is driving forward the sustainability agenda."
Ball, a former managing director of Costco UK, became chairman of the FWD in 2006. He was named as one of the most influential people in wholesale in The Grocer's Power list in 2007 for emerging as a figure of authority and imagination at the FWD.
He played a key role behind the scenes in one of the FWD's greatest successes convincing the government to tighten up the law relating to duty fraud.
Ball said the appointments of Smith and Etherington, both from delivered operators, were significant as they reflected the changing nature of FWD to include all types of wholesaler and not just cash & carry.
"This really shows the breadth of reach that FWD now has," said Ball. "It fully represents all sectors within the wholesale sector including foodservice."
He said the past four years had been "surprisingly enjoyable" and that he would retain a keen interest in helping smaller wholesalers and suppliers in the grocery sector.
"Francis has had four fantastic years as chairman," said FWD chief executive James Bielby. "He has been an endless source of help, support and guidance to me and my predecessor."
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