Following yesterday’s news that Nisa boss Ken Towle was joining Asda to become its Retail Director, the convenience wholesale group has named its new Chief Executive.
Michael Fletcher, who is currently Chief Commercial Officer of Co-op, will take over the role after Towle’s four-year stint.
Fletcher joined the Co-op Food business in 2013. He had previously worked at Tesco for 22 years, holding numerous roles including Commercial Director for the supermarket group’s operations in Malaysia and Ireland.
At the Co-op, Fletcher was part of the team tasked with acquiring Nisa and played a leading role in reimagining the group’s operating model following the takeover. More recently, Fletcher oversaw the Co-op’s ‘Retail Business Transformation’ programme team that rolled out improved stock management and forecasting tools across the group’s convenience store estate.
Jo Whitfield, Co-op Food Chief Executive, commented: “Michael brings a wealth of experience and already has a good understanding of the wholesale business having been part of the original integration team with responsibility for bringing together and leading the combined wholesale and retail buying teams.”
Fletcher added: “I am delighted to take on the leadership of the Nisa business. I know many of the partners and I look forward to meeting many more as we work together to make the very most of an exciting future.”
NAM Implications:
- Given his involvement in planning and implementing the Nisa takeover…
- …from within the Co-op…
- …coupled with combining retail and wholesale teams…
- …then Michael Fletcher can be expected to hit the ground running.
- Suppliers can therefore benefit from working with an optimised Co-op – Nisa combination.
