Co-op buying group managing director Richard Crampton is leaving the society to join convenience retailer McColl’s as chief commercial officer in autumn 2019.
With the Co-op Group since 2015, Mr Crampton was responsible for the buying group’s strategy, corporate structures, food buying, logistics, funeral and shared efficiency projects. The central buying group, Co-operative Federal Retail and Trading Services (FRTS), brings together the UK’s retail co-operatives. It is owned and controlled by each of the member societies and is managed by the Co-op Group on their behalf.
McColl’s runs 1,550 managed convenience stores and newsagents across the UK. In 2016 the Co-op Group sold 298 convenience stores to McColl’s.
Jonathan Miller, chief executive of McColl’s, said: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to McColl’s. His background with the multiple grocers and his extensive experience in convenience and food retail will be a tremendous benefit to our business as we further strengthen our neighbourhood convenience offer.”
Richard Crampton said: “I am delighted to be joining McColl’s, and I look forward to working with Jonathan and the wider team to capitalise on the many opportunities available to the company in the convenience market.”
