The recent rebranding of Nisa Retail to Co-op Wholesale, coming on the heels of the unexpected departure of its Managing Director Peter Batt in December last year, signals more than just a change of name.
It marks a new era for the business, an era shaped, in no small part, by the legacy Batt leaves behind.
In just a few months, Nisa has seen a whirlwind of change- the simultaneous exits of Batt and Commercial Director Ayaz Alam, followed closely by a strategic overhaul culminating in the unveiling of Co-op Wholesale.
It’s the kind of fast-paced internal reshuffling that rarely happens without intention and without raising eyebrows.
Batt, who had joined Co-op in April 2015, was at the helm since September 2022, when he took over from fellow Co-op appointee Michael Fletcher.
His promotion came with expectations, but Batt was no stranger to the demands of the role.
Before taking the reins at Nisa, he had spent seven-and-a-half years as a divisional managing director within the Co-op, a period that laid the groundwork for the influence he would later wield.
ex-Nisa managing director Peter Batt Nisa
Apart from steering business, Batt was also heavily involved in Coop Foundation, enterprise trust and operating boards, while supporting apprenticeships, and raising huge funds in the Million Pound Mile.
Batt was also vocal for retail workers' protections and safety amid the spiking crime levels.
Paul Gerard, Public Affairs and Policy Director at the Co-op Group, even credited him and his deep insight on retail crime, saying his "graphic detail on the challenges facing colleagues in store was the beginning of our retail crime campaign".
As stated by Batt on social media at the time of his departure, "I will never forget how our colleagues took us through the Covid pandemic with so much care and commitment.
"Then leading Nisa, learning about independent retail, influencing across the wider food and wholesale market and enabling the business to truly be a part of the wider Co-op, it has largely been a dream come true from start to finish."
Batt's announcement on his departure from Nisa Retail was met with an overwhelming response with wishes pouring in for him from across the industry from retailers to trade body representatives and former colleagues, all acknowledging his contribution and leadership with warmth and sincerity.
Batt's exit prompted the Co-op Group to initiate a swift reorganisation to maintain stability and continue their strategic objectives.
In response to these leadership changes, the Co-op Group appointed Jerome Saint-Marc, Managing Director for B2B and Growth, to oversee Nisa's daily operations temporarily.
With Nisa now operating under the Co-op Wholesale name, the business enters a new phase, one branded around a “renewed commitment to independent retailers” and a more pronounced ambition to grow in the corporate B2B space.
This strategic move aims to leverage Co-op's extensive heritage to deliver greater value to its partners.
Co-op Group launches Co-op Wholesale
Co-op Group
To lead this next chapter, Katie Secretan has been appointed Managing Director.
Secretan joined Nisa in January 2024 as Director of Sales and Retail, bringing experience from the Post Office and Costa Coffee.
The departures of Batt, followed by the appointment of Secretan and the rebranding to Co-op Wholesale, highlight the organisation's proactive approach to maintaining its position in the wholesale market.
As the dust settles, stakeholders will be keenly observing how these strategic decisions influence the group's trajectory in the evolving retail landscape.
