Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Unitas bolsters trading team with three key appointments

Unitas bolsters trading team with three key appointments
Lee Wharton, Martin Shears and Alex Trotman
User

Unitas Wholesale is strengthening its trading team to improve member support, enhance supplier relationships and deliver collaborative initiatives.

Under the lead of Cheryl Hope, Trading Director, the new team now includes Lee Wharton as On-Trade Trading Controller, Alex Trotman as Licensed Trading Controller (Retail) and Martin Shears as Procurement Manager – Central Services.


John Kinney, Managing Director of Unitas Wholesale, said: “Lee, Alex and Martin bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience that will be a real benefit to our members and their customers.

“As the UK’s biggest independent buying group, we pride ourselves on providing the best support and the most competitive trading terms and promotions in the industry. Our new team members will play an important role in delivering these to help our members grow their businesses.”

Lee Wharton, On-Trade Trading Controller, joins with more than 20 years’ experience in the UK’s drinks industry, predominantly within the on-trade sector having worked with some of the biggest companies in the market including Heineken, Molson Coors and Suntory Beverage & Food GBI.

“My experience on the supplier side will be a real benefit to our members and supplier partners," said Lee. "I have more than 20 years’ experience working across the channel including delivering new trade routes, working with national and local wholesale distributors and working with national on-trade retail groups. Unitas is a forward-thinking organisation that understands the power of collaboration, I love to see all my stakeholders succeed so this role was the perfect opportunity.”

Alex Trotman, Licensed Trading Controller (Retail), joins Unitas from Diageo where he was a key part of the account management team for the wholesale channel. He brings a valuable understanding of the opportunities for both Unitas members and suppliers.

“I’m delighted to be joining Unitas. This is a unique opportunity to not only interact with a range of brands but on behalf of leading independent wholesalers,” he said. “I’m looking forward to helping our members and suppliers grow their businesses with the UK’s biggest independent buying group.”

Martin Shears, Procurement Manager - Central Services brings more than 30 years’ procurement experience having worked with a range of businesses including wholesalers, foodservice operators and retailers to manage their spend.

Martin said: “My role will focus on ensuring our members and their customers can remain competitive on price. The combination of my category, sales, negotiation, strategy sourcing and supply management experience will ensure our members continue to get the best quality goods and services at the best value.”

More for you

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores
File image of Tesco Express

Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores

Tesco is slashing the price of more than 222 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores.

Essentials including milk, bread, pasta and coffee are included in the lines which have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10 per cent at Tesco Express stores. The retail giant has made more than 2,800 price cuts across stores in recent months. With 2,048 of convenience stores at the end of the 2023-24 financial year, Tesco aims to benefit hundreds of thousands of customers from the cheaper deals.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape and cigarette
Photo: iStock

One in five ex-smokers in England now vape, study finds


Summary
1. One in five people who have successfully quit smoking in England currently vape, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
2. The increase in vaping among ex-smokers is largely driven by the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts, with a rise in vaping uptake among people who had previously quit smoking for many years before taking up vaping.
3. While vaping may be a less harmful option compared to smoking, there are concerns about the potential long-term implications of vaping on relapse risk and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the impact of vaping on smoking cessation outcomes.


Keep ReadingShow less
Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform

Independent retailers association Bira has held a meeting with members of the Treasury team to discuss concerns following its robust response to the Government’s recent Budget announcement.

The Budget, labelled by Bira as "devastating" for independent retailers, was met with widespread indignation from Bira members.

Keep ReadingShow less