Richard Rose

Richard Rose

Hancocks owner Innovative Bites has appointed former Booker Group chairman Richard Rose as a non-executive chairman.


This comes as part of a wider strategic expansion at the IB Group, with Rose expected to work with the management team to help customers grow their businesses.

“Richard’s appointment into the business is a key move in our ongoing business strategy to grow the IB Group and position it as the market leader,” said IB Group CEO Wayne Beedle.

“Richard brings within him an impressive résumé of achievements. He has an exceptional track record of developing and supporting management teams to build and execute a customer-focused strategy for growth, so we are thrilled to welcome him on board.”

During Rose’s tenure as chairman, Booker’s shares increased 20-fold.

Rose has previously worked as chairman of online electrical goods retailer AO World, where he oversaw its expansion from a small privately owned business to one of the largest online retailers in the UK.

Hancocks, Bobby’s and Bonds of London are all part of the IB Group, which currently has more than 55,000 direct customers excluding major grocers and discounters, and offers more than 5,000 confectionery products.