Co-operative Federal Retail and Trading Services (FRTS), the central buying group for co-ops in the UK, has appointed former Tesco executive David McKnight as its new Managing Director.
He takes over the role from Richard Crampton, who stepped down earlier this year to join convenience retailer McColl’s as its Chief Commercial Officer.
McKnight began his career with UniChem, working in operational and buying roles across its wholesale and retail divisions. He joined Tesco in 2002 as Category Manager for Healthcare, leading the buying for Pharmacy. Over his 17 years at the supermarket group, McKnight has been Category Director for Grocery, Impulse, Health and Beauty and Household and Pet food. Most recently, he was Strategy and Trading Director, leading the retailer’s commercial strategy across price, promotions and range, as well as the overall food trade and events plan.
John Coombs, Chair of Federal Retail and Trading Services, commented: “We are delighted to announce David’s appointment, he brings a vast wealth of understanding and experience of UK and international grocery retailing to a role which is pivotal in ensuring societies work co-operatively to maximise scale and value.
“Combining the day to day operations, governance and strategic direction which is key to underpinning and, building on, the success and strong growth performance that has been enjoyed by all UK Co-op societies over the past five years.”
McKnight added: “Co-operation is key to this role, and something I believe is more relevant today than ever.”
FRTS is jointly owned by the Co-op Group and independent retail Co-op societies, and serves over 4,000 co-operative outlets across the UK. It enables all the societies to work together to maximise scale with a commercial buying operation and separate logistics team, run by the Co-op Group in Manchester, providing the services for all the other Co-ops on a shared cost basis.
The FRTS board comprises the chief executives of the eight largest societies, including The Co-op, Central England, Mid Counties, Southern, East of England, Lincolnshire, Scot Mid and The Channel Islands.
NAM Implications:
- Given David’s category experience (17 years H&B, Grocery, petcare and household, + a 7 year stint as Buying Controller at UniChem)…
- …best anticipate that he will hit the ground running…
- …and given his appetite for co-operation.
- Co-op NAMs in appropriate categories might benefit from a fundamental cross-check with colleague Tesco-NAMs…
- …and an equally fundamental re-assessment of their Co-op strategies.
- Meanwhile, a limited window exists to harmonise any prices & terms disparities within their Co-op trading arrangements
- i.e. before it is done on your behalf…
