Co-operative Federal Retail and Trading Services appoints David McKnight as MD
David McKnight has been appointed as the managing director of Co-operative Federal Retail and Trading Services.
Jointly owned by the Co-op Group and independent retail Co-op societies, the organisation works as a buying group that serves over 4,000 co-operative outlets throughout the UK.
Having started his career at UniChem, McKnight worked with Tesco for 17 years from 2002 and ultimately became strategy and trading director. His responsibilities included leading the supermarket’s commercial strategy across price, promotions and range, as well as oeveseeing the overall food trade and events plan.
John Coombs, FRTS chair, said: “We are delighted to announce David’s appointment, he brings a vast wealth of understanding and experience of UK and international grocery retailing to a role which is pivotal in ensuring societies work co-operatively to maximise scale and value.
“Combining the day to day operations, governance and strategic direction which is key to underpinning and, building on, the success and strong growth performance that has been enjoyed by all UK Co-op societies over the past five years.”
The FRTS board comprises the chief executives of the eight largest UK societies including The Co-op, Central England, Mid Counties, Southern, East of England, Lincolnshire, Scot Mid and The Channel Islands.
