John Baines Trading Director Unitas

Unitas Trading Director retires

John Baines, Trading Director of Unitas Wholesale, officially retired on 27 May after 40 years working in the industry in both wholesale and retail channels.

John played a leading role in the buying group since joining Nisa/Today’s in 1994.As part of the senior team John was pivotal in working with the executive in both the 2012 demerger of Today’s from Nisa and the 2018 merger of Today’s Group and Landmark Wholesale to form Unitas Wholesale, the UK’s largest independent wholesale buying group. John was also recognised by the Wholesale trade body the FWD for his service to wholesale at their 2021 annual awards with an Outstanding Contribution Gold Medal.

John said, “I have spent many enjoyable years working in the wholesale sector and have made many friends along the way; however, I am now looking forward to spending quality time with my family and particularly my young grandchildren who have arrived over the last three years”.

John Kinney, Unitas Managing Director, added, “John is a hugely valued member of Unitas and the wider wholesale community and his knowledge and experience will be missed by both the Unitas team and the channel, however, after many years of great service I fully respect John’s wishes to retire to spend time with his wife and family, wish him a long and happy retirement, and thank him for the support he has given me personally, his colleagues in the buying group and the wider industry”.

Aoife Kenny will officially commence her role as Commercial Director in September 2022, with Cheryl Hope, who took up her post in the middle of May 2022, reporting to her as Director of Trading and Development.