The Country Range Group (CRG) has announced that head of training Dean Pendlebury has been promoted to the role of buying director, effective on 1 January 2026.

Pendlebury has worked at the CRG for over a decade, having joined the business in 2013. During this period, he oversaw purchasing strategy, tenders and trading compliance.

CRG chief executive Martin Ward, said: “Dean has been pivotal in our recent success and in helping us take our collective purchasing power past the £360 million mark, so we’re delighted to announce him as our new buying director.

“He’s innovative, hardworking, diligent, and thoroughly deserves this opportunity as we look to retain talent and further strengthen our head office team.”

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This move aims to strengthen the CRG’s leadership team in the central office buying and broader team in the upcoming year.

As part of the new role, he will execute and implement the CRG’s buying plan in accordance with the 5-year strategy and aiming to raise the sales value.

During his time at the CRG, he has held positions in the roles of category buyer, senior buyer and head of training positions.