South West Spar wholesaler Appleby Westward Group has promoted Simon Warren to head of store recruitment, and has tasked him with adding 24 c-stores to the Spar fascia by the end of the year.

Warren has been with the Saltash-based company for 11 years, starting off as a business advisor for NAAFI stores in the territory. He has been involved in store recruitment for the company for the past six years.

"We have a compelling offer to make to independent convenience retailers in the South West," he said.

Warren will be supported in his role by new business manager Dave Slade.

Appleby Westward said one of its key attractions for retailers was its policy of investing jointly on store improvement.

It has spent more than £10m in co-investment development schemes with independent retailers throughout the region in the past five years.