Conviviality Plc (AIM: CVR), the UK’s leading off licence and convenience chain and, following the recent acquisition of Matthew Clark, the UK’s leading independent wholesaler and distributor of alcoholic beverages to the on trade market,has told DirectorsTalk that it has appointed Mark Aylwin as Managing Director of Matthew Clark. He will replace Steve Thomson, who after 10 years as CEO of Matthew Clark, has decided to step down from the role to pursue other interests. Mark will take up his position in January 2016.
Mark has been in the food and drinks industry for over 35 years and has worked in senior positions with a range of organisations including Booker Group Plc, Blueheath Plc, Safeway Plc and Musgrave Group. Mark spent eight years at Booker, most recently as Managing Director of Booker Retail Partners (formerly Musgrave Retail Partners) where he had responsibility for Budgens and Londis. Prior to that Mark was the MD of Booker Direct, the delivered wholesale business of Booker, which included Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Ritter Courivaud and Classic Drinks. Mark was also a member of the Board of Booker Group Plc.
Mark joined Booker from Blueheath Plc, where he was CEO of the AIM listed delivered wholesaler. Blueheath had pioneered web based wholesaling and was acquired by Booker in 2007. Mark also spent 20 years at Safeway Plc, where he held senior roles in Buying, Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics. Mark was a member of the Board of Safeway PLC.
Ian Smith Commercial Director Matthew Clark, who has contributed to the success of Matthew Clark over 37 years, will become Deputy Managing Director, Matthew Clark with immediate effect and be a key support to Mark.
Diana Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Conviviality Plc, said: “I am delighted to appoint Mark as Managing Director of our Matthew Clark business. He has a wealth of experience in food and drink wholesale and is ideally placed to develop the Matthew Clark business with our customers and suppliers.
“I am pleased with the progress we have made since the acquisition and the integration is ahead of plan. The key hires required to deliver our synergies are in place ahead of plan and all the teams in both businesses are working well together.
“I would also like to thank Steve Thomson for his contribution to Matthew Clark. Over the past 10 years Steve has led the business, and has presided over a period of significant growth. Steve was integral throughout the recent acquisition process while also ensuring that customers continued to receive the high level of service that they had come to expect from Matthew Clark. I am delighted that Steve will continue to work with our business on a consultancy basis for a period of time on a number of key projects and wish him well for the future.”
Mark Aylwin, MD of Matthew Clark said: “I am delighted to be joining Conviviality Plc at this exciting time in the Company’s development. Matthew Clark is a great business and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to drive growth, whilst delivering outstanding customer service to the on-trade.”
