Whenever news of a new appointment at head office level at wholesalers, suppliers or retailers is announced, it’s always interesting to see exactly where new candidates have come from.
Usually they will have an impressive history in retail, often working from the shop floor up, into position of seniority that benefit from an understanding of what’s happening at store level.
2025 was filled with movers and shakers in the retail industry, with the top brass occasionally pinging backwards and forwards between companies.
Below are five key appointments across retail and wholesale – but as ever, these only represent the tip of an employment iceberg…
In April, the Co-op recruited a new third party logistics contract general manager in the form of Fiona Cameron from Waitrose.
With the retailer keen to enhance the value of its Food Logistics network, Cameron’s appointment at Co-op “underscores the retailer’s commitment to supporting female talent in the logistics industry,” it said at the time.
Cameron added: “I’m thrilled to be working for an iconic high street retailer that has community at its core. My first job was at a Co-op food store in the Lake District, so it feels like a full circle moment…”
Then, over the summer of what was its 150th year of trading, JW Filshill appointed Hazel Lee as its new regional development manager for Fife and the east coast of Scotland.
Lee joined the business after three years with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, where she was also an RDM. Her new role sees her reporting to Elaine Feeney, Filshill’s sales manager for the east and north of Scotland territories, including the islands.
Lee said: “At CCEP, I was aware of Filshill’s reputation as a long-established, independent, family-owned business that operates outside the confines of a corporate environment.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for me and the family aspect of the business is really important to me.”
September saw AF Blakemore & Son appoint a new chief commercial officer - CJ Antal Smith – who joined from Poundland & Dealz, where she’d been leading the commercial, marketing and digital functions.
Commenting on her new role, Antal Smith said: “It’s a very exciting time to be joining AF Blakemore as it embeds its exciting customer-led strategy across the business, with new retail partnerships opening up new routes to market.
“Convenience is changing fast - people are shopping little and often, and community, value and choice matter more than ever. That’s exactly where AF Blakemore is making a real difference, and I can’t wait to get started and work with the team to build on this momentum.”
In October, Co-op Wholesale named Martin Swadling (main pic) as its new customer director, joining from Booker.
Swadling’s new role would see him lead the strategy and execution of Co-op Wholesale’s logistics and warehouse operations.
Speaking at the time, Swadling said: “The transformative journey Co-op Wholesale’s been on in recent times has been clear for all to see across the industry. I’m really excited to join the team at such a pivotal time, helping to build on its operational strengths and develop a delivery network fit for the future.”
November brough a surprise announcement from AF Blakemore, who announced their new recruit, Taranjit Singh Dhillon, has joined as head of retail after a relatively short spell at Co-op Wholesale.
Posting on LinkedIn, Dhillon said: “I’m looking forward to joining the Blakemore Trade Partners team, driving growth, building lasting relationships and helping retailers across our network develop strong, sustainable businesses.”
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