Spar UK MD Michael Fletcher has decided to step down from the business, with former Co-op MD for B2B and growth Jerome Saint-Marc to take his place.
Fletcher has been in post since November 2024 and has led the central office through a “significant phase of change”, Spar UK said.
He will step away from his day-to-day responsibilities at the end of August and leave the business at the beginning of November.
The Spar Food Distributors (SFD) board thanked Fletcher for his leadership and contribution to the business and wished him every success for the future.
Saint-Marc will start his new role as MD from 17 August. He will bring 30 years’ experience across supply chain and retail, having held roles at Tesco, Morrisons, Wilko and, most recently, Co-op, which he left in September.
Spar UK said his extensive expertise would be “invaluable” as the business continued to strengthen its operations and deliver its strategic priorities.
Martin Agnew has also taken on the role as chair of the SFD board. Agnew had served on the board for more than 25 years and brought extensive retail and wholesale experience to the role, Spar UK said.
He succeeds Nick Bunker, who recently stepped down as chair. The SFD board said it wanted to thank Bunker for his significant contribution during his tenure.
The SFD board said its focus continued to be on strengthening central office, supporting the four RDCs (AF Blakemore, CJ Lang, James Hall and Henderson Group), and helping independent Spar retailers grow their businesses. These leadership changes did not alter that commitment, it added.
The leadership changes come as AF Blakemore announced earlier this year that it was acquiring 71 stores and logistical assets from Appleby Westward, a former Spar RDC, giving it significant scale and major presence in south west England.
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