paul rabone blakemore

Paul Rabone has returned to Blakemore Wholesale, where he first worked when he was 17.

Rabone, who becomes operations director, was a frozen food assistant in the Walsall depot in the West Midlands when he joined in 1980.

He rose to become depot buyer by the time he left Blakemore in 1987 to join the Bestway Group, where he undertook a series of operational manager positions.

Rabone said he was excited about returning to a family-run business, particularly one for which he had always had “a soft spot”.

He has begun a six-week induction programme, which will involve him seeing the 14 depots along with their management and staff.

“Once complete, we can begin to get some depot plans in place and build upon the depots’ successes. The key to all of this is communications and I look forward to meeting the team and listening to what they have to say and what suggestions they have to drive the company forward,” Rabone said.

Blakemore Wholesale managing director Russell Grant added: “I am sure Paul will contribute significantly to the future growth of our wholesale business.”