Upper Crust owner SSP Group has appointed former Boots chief transformation officer Preyash Thakrar as its new chief strategy and corporate development officer.
In his new role, Thakrar will build and help deliver the company’s strategic priorities as well as lead its global brand relationships and shared service operations.
He brings more than 20 years’ experience at international consumer organisations to the role. Most recently at Boots, Thakrar led the retailer’s evolving strategy and transformation plans and the property and data functions.
Before this, he held senior strategy leadership roles at KPMG, Royal Mail, Asda and Walmart across the UK, US, Canada and Asia.
At Walmart, he helped shape the group’s international portfolio strategy as well as leading transformation, M&A and real estate in Canada.
At Asda, Thakrar was chief strategy officer where he led on the proposed merger with Sainsbury’s and resetting strategy ahead of its sale. He also held the role of chief customer officer, with responsibility for marketing and customer strategy.
He began his career in investment banking, spending 10 years advising on mergers and acquisitions in the retail sector, including two years based in Japan, where Walmart was a major client.
“SSP is uniquely positioned as the world’s leading food travel experts, and I’m delighted to be joining at such an exciting point in the group’s growth journey,” Thakrar said. “The group’s core advantage of specialist food and beverage expertise combined with global scale and local excellence is particularly compelling.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the breadth of clients, partners, customers and stakeholders we work with to drive value, and to helping shape the group’s strategy as we adapt to a travel landscape that is structurally growing, yet constantly evolving.”
SSP Group CEO Patrick Coveney said: “We are thrilled to welcome Preyash to SSP. His breadth of strategic and transformation experience across some of the world’s leading consumer and retail businesses, combined with his track record of driving value in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, will be a huge asset as we shape the next phase of SSP’s global growth strategy with a clear vision.”
Thakrar will succeed Mark Rainbow, who will retire after more than 20 years with the business.
Coveney added: “On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank Mark for his valued contribution to SSP over many years, particularly in recent years, where he has been integral in helping refine our strategic focus and progress against our ‘Focus 26’ plan.”
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