Nisa shakes up its senior management team

The convenience retailer and wholesaler said the changes will come into effect from July 1 and have been spurred by former retail director Nigel Gray’s decision to step down from the business after five years.

The retailer said its sales and retail teams will merge to “centralise recruitment, account management and retail operations”, with current sales director Steve Leach leading the newly merged department.

Former chief operations operator John McNeill will now lead the format and development, marketing, PR and Making a Difference Locally charity teams. The Co-op’s head of new channels, Martin Rogers, who currently oversees franchising operations between Nisa and the grocer, will also be made responsible for strategic planning.

Nisa said its strategy was to “grow its business both with existing partners and secure new ones”.

Boss Ken Towle said: “For many years, Nigel has been a key part of our leadership team, commuting from his home in Northern Ireland to lead our field teams and partner engagement.

“Having successfully led the retail team through the first year of Co-op ownership, Nigel has now decided to leave the business and, while we are very sorry to see him go, we wholeheartedly wish him all the very best for the future.

“Meanwhile, I have every confidence that John, Steve and Martin have the necessary experience, expertise and drive to successfully build on Nisa’s recent success, and I look forward to working with them in their expanded roles.”