The Country Range Group has appointed Martin Ward as its new chief executive, effective from 1 October 2022.
Ward is the direct replacement for former MD Coral Rose, who left in April to join Fairway Foodservice after 12 years at the buying group.
He had previously held the managing director role for five months on an interim basis since Rose’s departure.
After joining as a foodservice buyer in 2002, he played a key role in the development of the Country Range brand, becoming trading director in 2015 and helping to establish the buying group as a leading player in the UK & Ireland.
“I am delighted to be appointed the new Country Range Group chief executive and am truly excited about the opportunities ahead for our members and the group as a whole,” said Ward.
“It’s been an incredibly tough last few years and turbulent times may lay ahead but… our group has the resources, creativity, resilience and, most importantly, the amazing people within our teams to face and conquer anything thrown at us.”
Ward said that the business had ambitious plans to reach £1bn in sales over the next few years and would remain focused on its mission to ensure members achieved faster and more profitable growth.
Country Range Group board member and Turner Price MD John Gould said: “Martin knows the members and group inside out and his detail and knowledge when it comes to buying is second to none.
“We know he has the skills, determination and tenacity to succeed at whatever he does, so we’re delighted he accepted the role.”
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