A.F. Blakemore names Ian Kellett as new chief financial officer
A.F. Blakemore has appointed Ian Kellett as chief financial officer.
Due to join the business on 1 August, Kellett previously spent six years working in the same role at Parkdean Resorts, where he led the transformation of the private equity backed holiday park company’s finance function and built its data and ESG capabilities.
Prior to that, he spent 10 years as chief financial officer at Pets at Home.
At A.F. Blakemore, he will join the board and executive team and will be responsible for the finance, property, IT and procurement functions.
A.F. Blakemore’s chief executive Carol Welch, said: “Ian brings a wealth of leadership and financial expertise with a strong track record in business transformation, financial rigor, talent development and strategic planning and will be instrumental as we continue to pursue our long-term future growth objectives.”
Kellett added: “With a team united by a passion for customers, great food and excellent service, backed by over six thousand colleagues, long standing independent retailer and supplier relationships, A.F. Blakemore is well placed to deliver on its growth aspirations as a leader in the convenience, wholesale, and foodservice sector.”
The group consists of Blakemore Retail, a 248 company owned SPAR store group, and Blakemore Trade Partners, which serves 600 independently owned SPAR stores. A.F. Blakemore also operates across the foodservice and wholesale sectors.
One of the UK’s largest privately owned family businesses, the company was founded in 1917 by Arthur and Harriet Blakemore and currently employs over 6,000 people.
