AF Blakemore reshuffles to focus on Spar retailers

AF Blakemore & Son has restructured its senior leadership team to enable it to focus more on developing the businesses of its Spar retailers.

Following the closure of its 12 cash and carry depots across England and Wales, Blakemore Wholesale Distribution managing director James Russell will be leaving the company early this year. 

Raj Krishan, who was sales director at the business’ wholesale division, left Blakemore in December. No details on their future roles following the departures have been confirmed. 

The company announced its intention to sell 12 of its cash and carry depots as a going concern in April last year. Sites in Swansea, Birmingham, Grimsby, Killingworth, Bangor, Barnsley and Newport closed. 

Elsewhere, sites in Cardiff and Walsall were bought by Bestway Wholesale, while Parfetts purchased the Middlesbrough warehouse. 

Scottish wholesaler United Wholesale Grocers expanded south of the Scottish border for the first time with the acquisition of Blakemore’s Gateshead site, while DeeBee Wholesale took control of the Grimsby depot. 

AF Blakemore group human resources and strategy director Ian Diment told RN: “AF Blakemore & Son has repositioned its senior leadership team to focus on the growth of the retail, wholesale and specialist food side of the business following the company’s disinvestment from the cash and carry sector.

Diment added that Russell will remain with the company to “ensure a smooth transition of his key responsibilities”.

“On behalf of everyone at AF Blakemore, I would like to thank James and Raj for the significant contribution they have made to the business and we wish them well for the future,” said Diment.

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