Hope heads to Parfetts

Cheryl Hope, Unitas Wholesale trading director, is leaving the buying group to become trading director at employee-owned Parfetts

“Cheryl is a hugely experienced professional with a fantastic understanding of the sector,” said Guy Swindell, joint managing director. “She’s ideally placed to support our ambitious growth plans and take our focus on supporting retailer margins to the next level.”

“Our trading team plays a vital role in helping us support our customers and maintain relationships with suppliers,” added Noel Robinson, joint managing director . “Cheryl is a strong fit for our values and brings a customer-first mindset. She’s a fantastic addition to the business.”

“Parfetts has a fantastic reputation with retailers, suppliers and the wider industry,” said Hope. “It is great to join the team and support the national expansion plans through strong, collaborative supplier relationships. The employee-ownership model of the company sets it apart from the rest of the industry, and you can feel the difference when you meet people from across the business.”

Unitas Wholesale managing director John Kinney, said: “While Unitas is naturally disappointed to be losing Cheryl, who has led the trading team for more than three years, we are incredibly proud of the significant achievements made during her tenure, and we are pleased that Cheryl will remain within the Unitas group, as she takes on the role of trading director at Parfetts — one of our largest members who we know has ambitious expansion plans — located closer to her home town.

“Under Cheryl’s leadership, we have seen a notable increase in revenues returned to members and strengthened relationships with our supplier partners. Cheryl’s commitment and dynamism have built a robust trading team that will continue delivering incremental benefits for our members and strong ROI for our suppliers. I wish her every success in her new role.”

Hope replaces Gurms Athwal who left Parfetts earlier this month. Unitas Wholesale also confirmed that Parfetts’ former trading director Athwal has stepped down as a Unitas board director with immediate effect. John Kinney extended his thanks to Gurms for his valuable contributions to the Board and wished him well in his future endeavours.

appointment Cheryl Hope Gurms Athwal John Kinney Parfetts Unitas Wholesale