Richard Kirk, chairman of Back to the Future, which has bought Kwik Save, has announced the new management board appointed to spearhead the company’s development.
Kirk, who is chief executive of Peacock Group, will be a non-executive director. He has chosen Paul Niklas, former European MD of Formica, as MD of the slimmed down retailer.
Niklas’ appointment has raised questions surrounding the future of Katie Bickerstaffe, who was appointed Kwik Save MD just last month. Somerfield said as change director, Bickerstaffe had been managing the sell-off of stores to retailers and property investors. Kwik Save said she would stay on its board for the foreseeable future.
Steve McArdle has been recruited as director of stores. He worked for Kwik Save for 27 years before moving to Parisa. His latest role was regional manager for Costcutter.
>>p31 Kirk’s enterprise
Former Aldi UK managing director Trevor Coates has returned to the UK as chief executive of Instore, the owner of discount store chain Poundstretcher. Coates, who is also a former chief executive of Australian-based retailer Foodland, replaces Angus Monro who has left.

The Department of Trade and Industry has appointed Lord Whitty as chairman of the National Consumer Council. Lord Whitty was previously minister for farming, food and sustainable energy at Defra. He replaces vice-chairman Dr Robert Chilton, who had been acting as chairman.

British American Tobacco has appointed Anthony Ruys as a non-executive director. Ruys recently retired as chairman of Dutch brewer Heineken, where he worked since 1993, three of which as chairman. He also worked for Unilever earlier in his career.
Rod Addy
chief in store
whitty chairs NCC
bat non-exec