The wholesale and convenience sector has paid tribute to Alan Toft, the former director general of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, who died this week aged 91.
Toft was a well-known and popular figure in the trade during the 1990s and 2000s. He joined the FWD in 1989, having previously been editor and founder of Independent Grocer magazine, and led the trade body for 16 years.
He stepped down from the role in 2005 but continued to front the My Shop is Your Shop campaign and Independents’ Week until his retirement in 2009. He regarded the campaign as his proudest achievement in the role. My Shop is Your Shop focused on the value to the community of local family-owned stores and was adopted by retailers across the country as a symbol of their contribution to their communities.
He also established Blueprint, a merchandising template for the alcohol category that was widely praised by both manufacturers and retailers, and oversaw FWD’s relaunch as a high-profile representative body with a mission to highlight the importance of the wholesale channel to government as well as to suppliers.
In 2009 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at FWD’s Gold Medal Dinner, with the chairman Francis Ball saying in his citation: “Alan’s singular drive, creativity and ‘can do’ attitude built back the membership and calendar of events and activities over 20 years. Very largely due to Alan Toft’s leadership and tireless efforts, the federation performs a vital role in promoting the health and prosperity of the UK wholesale industry and its major customer groups.”
Current FWD CEO James Bielby said: “Alan was a passionate advocate for all things independent and their role in the community, and under his leadership FWD played a key role in demonstrating their value to consumers and suppliers.”
Nikki Connor, FWD’s events director, who worked with Toft for 16 years, said: “He was a fantastic boss. He always took ultimate responsibility for everything – even if you knew you had made a mistake he would always say it was his fault. He made the job good fun – I never took all my annual leave as it was better to be at work.”
Former Booker CEO Charles Wilson told The Grocer: “Alan was a gentleman and a great ambassador for the wholesale sector. He quietly helped thousands of independent businesses prosper. He was respected across the industry and made a lasting impact on the wholesale trade.”
Graham Shelley of IMA Group added: “Alan’s contribution to the independent retail sector was immense. At FWD he created a meeting place where ideas were discussed, plans were hatched and deals were made, all in a wonderfully convivial atmosphere. He was hugely respected and influential, and always led from the front.”
ACS chief executive James Lowman said:”Alan was passionate about independent retail and the role that local shops play in their communities. He will be much missed across the industry, having worked closely with suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.”
Over the years Toft worked closely with Parfetts founder Steve Parfett who said ”FWD would not exist had it not been for Alan”.
”He grew and nurtured the membership. His vision of wholesalers working together for the benefit of independent retailers gave a sense of unity, and ultimately his efforts laid the foundations to grow FWD into the success we know today,” he added.
His sentiments were shared by AF Blakemore & Son chairman Peter Blakemore who credited Toft as ”the major influence in modernising the FWD using his journalistic and PR skills to greatly expand its authority and promote the interests of the wholesale sector.”
Bestway Wholesale MD Dawood Pervez said: “Alan’s knowledge and passion for wholesale saw him command enormous respect as a leading editor and facilitator of his time. He was an instrumental player in getting the role of wholesalers recognised and understood more widely.
”Indeed, the wholesale community owes Alan a debt of gratitude for the role he played and his immense contribution to the FWD over many years. We will also remember him as a true gentleman and a delightful person to spend time with.”
No comments yet