// The Co-op announces new managing director of its Federal and Trading Services
// David McKnight comes with 17 years of experience from Tesco as strategy director
The Co-op has named David McKnight as its new managing director of the Co-operative Federal and Trading Services (FRTS).
The FRTS operates as the buying group for independent Co-ops and is jointly owned by the Co-op Group and independent retail Co-op Societies.
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McKnight will oversee the heart of FRTS’s commercial buying and logistics team, which is run by the Co-op Group in Manchester.
Having worked as category director at Tesco in various roles over the last 17 years, McKnight moved up to strategy and trading director, leading commercial strategy across price, promotions and range.
“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,” said chair of federal retail and trading services John Coombs.
“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,” Coombs added.
“I am really looking forward to working closely with the Co-op Group and all the independent retail Co-op societies, it is an exciting and unique opportunity which supports the success of the sector and the creation of value and, real co-operative differences, in our communities,” said McKnight of his appointment.
