Managing director of Makro UK Philipp Dautzenberg has been replaced by Hannes Floto after leaving to become MD of Makro Portugal.

Dautzenberg had been UK MD for three years and has worked at Makro and its German parent company, the Metro Group, for seven years.

He was managing director of Germany-

based Schaper Cash & Carry, also part of the Metro Group, before joining Makro UK.

During his time at Makro UK Dautzenberg focused on organic growth for the wholesaler instead of opening new stores.

He was instrumental in developing a strong fresh foods offer for the company, including fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and cheeses, as a way of differentiating the chain from rivals. This included a new look for its depot in Charlton, south east London, with 300 cheese and 250 fresh fruit and vegetable lines.

In October last year Dautzenberg revealed Makro would completely renovate at least two - more if approval came through from Metro - of its 33 UK stores during 2007 to

support its emphasis on fresh foods.

Floto, who was previously food buying director

for Makro's Greek operations, said he was looking forward to taking on these plans.

"In 2005 Makro started an ambitious programme of modernising the store network, recently relaunching the company's Rayleigh [Essex] store, developing its business with catering customers and implementing a best-in-class fresh food offer," he said.

"I am looking forward to joining the UK team and driving the company's strategic positioning forward."

Makro plans to refresh sections of stores within its estate, focusing on sound and vision, fresh produce and fish departments.