David McKnight has been named the new managing director of UK's Co-operative Federal Retail and Trading Services Ltd (FRTS), Co-op said.
McKnight is an experienced professional, who, most recently, served as the strategy and trading director at Tesco.
He was responsible for leading the retailer's commercial strategy across price, promotions and range, as well as the overall food trade and events plan.
He started his career with UniChem and held various positions in operations and buying departments in its wholesale and retail divisions.
'Wealth Of Understanding'
Chair of Federal Retail and Trading Services, John Coombs, commented, "He brings a vast wealth of understanding and experience of UK and international grocery retailing to a role which is pivotal in ensuring societies work co-operatively to maximise scale and value."
In 2002 he joined Tesco as a category manager for healthcare, and was responsible for buying for its pharmacy division.
During his 17 year stint at Tesco, he served as the category director of grocery, impulse, health and beauty, and household and pet food divisions.
'Exciting And Unique Opportunity'
Commenting on his new role, McKnight, said, "Co-operation is key to this role, and something I believe is more relevant today than ever, I am looking forward to working closely with the Co-op Group and all the independent retail Co-op Societies.
"It is an exciting and unique opportunity which supports the success of the sector and the creation of value and, real co-operative differences, in our communities."
FRTS is the buying group for independent co-operatives and is jointly owned by the Co-op Group and Co-op Societies. It serves over 4,000 co-operative outlets across the UK, the retailer added.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
