Hannah to head up new Unitas board

All change in buying group’s leadership structure with more diverse approach

JW Filshill Managing Director Simon Hannah is heading up a new-look Unitas Wholesale board after the buying announced changes to its leadership structure.

Hannah takes over from outgoing chairman Sam Wilcox, who is retiring from the position, while the number of members taking part has also been reduced from 16 to 12.

The changes to the board are motivated by a desire to better reflect the diversity of Unitas’s membership and drive collective strength and agility.

The new board structure represents a cross section of members within retail, foodservice, on trade and specialist member categories, with Regal Wholesale, JW Gray and Co, East End Foods and Time Wholesale all stepping back from their roles on the board.

As a further move towards diversity, the new board will also be joined by a senior female member director who will provide insight and promote a pipeline of future female applicants for 2020 and beyond.

“I’m honoured and excited to be taking on the role of chairman of Unitas,” said Hannah. “There is a lot of ambition and energy within our membership and a lot of talent and experience within our board and execs.

“Our first very successful year has created an excellent platform for our members and suppliers to accelerate our growth together.”

The changes will come in with immediate effect, with the new board members including Parfetts Joint Managing Director Greg Suszczenia, DB Ramsden’s Nick Ramsden and Marcus Singh from Hyperama.

“The role of Unitas is to champion independent business and champion brand partners,” added Unitas Managing Director, Darren Goldney.

“We are better served in doing that when our leadership team can be representative and nimble and this critical part of our evolution will help us on our journey to be a first choice partner.”

board Darren Goldney DB Ramsden East End Foods Foodservice Greg Suszczenia Hyperama JW Filshill JW Gray and Co Marcus Singh Nick Ramsden Parfetts Regal Wholesale retail Simon Hannah Time Wholesale Unitas wholesale wholesaler