NEW CHIEF FOR FAMILYBUSINESS

Anew chief executive has been appointed for Willenhall-based AF Blakemore, one of the UK’slargest privately owned family businesses.

Carol Welchwill join in April, succeeding Jerry Marwood who is leaving to focus more time on his non-executive directorships and consultancy roles.

Carol joins the business from Odeon Cinemas Group, whereshe is managing director UK and Ireland and commercial officer Europe.

Over the last six years, she has transformed Odeon’scustomer and colleague experience, introducing Luxe recliner cinemas, new digital systems, moreefficient operating models, and apurpose driven, inclusive culture. She has overseen growth of commercial revenues across nine European markets and successfully navigated through the pandemic.

Carol brings asignificant depth and breadth of experience from branded food and drink, retail, and foodservice, having held positions at Costa Coffee, Associated British Foods, Cadbury-Schweppes, and PepsiCo. She is also anon-executive director at Hammerson.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining AF

BlakemoreasCEO. It is afantasticbusiness with adeepunderstanding of retail, wholesale and foodservice and an enviable values-led culture, fuelled by morethan 7,000 colleagues and partners who arepassionate about delivering great food and drink solutions. I’m excited to be working with the shareholders and team to deliver their business ambition.”

Chairman Peter Blakemoresaid: “We’re delighted that Carol is joining, she brings a wealth of experience from multiple sectors, astrong strategic vision combined with an approach aligned to the BlakemoreWay and values. Carol joining sees the culmination of our CEO succession plan following Jerry’sdecision to leave the business at the end of this financial year.Jerry has done an outstanding job for Blakemore’sover the last 11 years.”

Outgoing CEO Jerry added: “I’ve had a fabulous time at AFB and had the privilege of working with an outstanding group of people. Together we have proven that aprivately owned family business can succeed in one of the most competitive markets in the UK and still uphold corevalues that make us all proud to be part of the team. Carol is agreat recruit and clearly demonstrates our shareholders’ ambition for the future.”