Booker Group announces board changes
Booker Group has announced that its group operations director Bryn Satherley is to step down and retire next April.
Satherley has held the role for ten years.
Instead of replacing Satherley, the group will appoint Guy Farrant, currently managing director of Booker Wholesale, as chief operating officer. Satherley’s responsibilities will be split amongst the other members of the executive team.
Charles Wilson, Booker chief executive, said: “Bryn has done a brilliant job for Booker Group. He has decided to retire but will remain a good friend of Booker and we wish him all the very best in the future.”
The group has also announced the appointment of Gary Hughes as a non-executive director. Hughes will join the audit and remuneration committees on 3 December.
Hughes is a senior member of the operational excellence team at the global private equity firm Apax Partners where he also sits on the boards of two portfolio companies, Smart Technologies and BMI Healthcare. In addition he is a non-executive director of Premier Farnell, Majid Al Futtaim Retail, SECC, and the Scottish Football Association.
His previous roles include chief financial officer of Gala Coral Group, chief executive of the largest operating division of United Business Media, and group finance director of Emap.
Commenting on the appointment, Booker chairman, Stewart Gilliland said: “We are delighted to welcome Gary to the board. His extensive experience in finance and operational roles in a number of industries will provide a valuable addition to the Company as we continue our journey to focus, drive and broaden Booker.”
Andrew Cripps, who has been a non-executive director since November 2007 and chairs Booker’s audit committee, will stand down from the board at the end of 2016. At that time, Hughes will become chairman of the audit committee.
