John Baines

Unitas trading director John Baines has retired after 40 years in the wholesale industry.

Baines has played a leading role in the buying group since he joined Nisa-Today’s in 1994.

As a member of the Unitas senior team, Baines was instrumental in both the 2012 demerger of Today’s from Nisa and the 2018 merger of Today’s Group and Landmark Wholesale, which formed Unitas Wholesale.

Last year he was commended for his service to the industry by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors with an outstanding contribution gold medal.

“I have spent many enjoyable years working in the wholesale sector and have made many friends along the way,” said Baines. “However, I am now looking forward to spending quality time with my family and particularly my young grandchildren who have arrived over the last three years.”

Unitas MD John Kinney said: “John is a hugely valued member of Unitas and the wider wholesale community and his knowledge and experience will be missed by both the Unitas team and the channel.

“However, after many years of great service I fully respect John’s wishes to retire to spend time with his wife and family, wish him a long and happy retirement, and thank him for the support he has given me personally, his colleagues in the buying group and the wider industry.”