Wholesaler AF Blakemore has announced the appointment of Carol Welch as its CEO.
The former PepsiCo executive will join the company in April, succeeding Jerry Marwood who is leaving to focus more time on his non-executive directorships and consultancy roles.
Welch joins the family-owned business from Odeon Cinema Group, where she held the position of managing director of UK and Ireland and Europe commercial officer..
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She also has significant experience in the branded food and drink, retail, and foodservice sector, having held positions at Costa Coffee, Associated British Foods and Cadbury-Schweppes. She is also a non-executive director at Hammerson plc.
“I am thrilled to be joining AF Blakemore as CEO. It is a fantastic business with a deep understanding of retail, wholesale, and foodservice and an enviable values-led culture, fuelled by more than 7,000 colleagues and partners who are passionate about delivering great food and drink solutions,” Welch said.
“I’m excited to be working with the shareholders and team to deliver their business ambition.”
Chairman Peter Blakemore added: “We’re delighted that Carol is joining, she brings a wealth of experience from multiple sectors, a strong strategic vision combined with an approach aligned to the Blakemore Way and values.
“Carol joining sees the culmination of our CEO succession plan following Jerry’s decision to leave the business at the end of this financial year. Jerry has done an outstanding job for Blakemore’s over the last 11 years, handing over strong sales performance and a strategic plan that will help us to deliver the innovation and ambition that are hallmarks of our business.”
