Spar UK has appointed former Co-op executive Jerome Saint-Marc as managing director, as Michael Fletcher prepares to exit the company.

Fletcher is stepping down after less than two years in the role, having joined Spar UK in November 2024 and led its central office team through what the business described as a “significant period of change”.

He will step away from his day-to-day responsibilities this month before leaving the business at the end of November.

Saint-Marc, who takes over as managing director, was most recently managing director of B2B and growth at the Co-op and brings three decades of retail and supply chain experience to the role.

His previous positions include chief executive of Wilko, alongside senior roles at Morrisons and Tesco. Other industry reports say he formally takes up the Spar UK role from 17 August.

The appointment comes as Spar continues to focus on strengthening its central operations and supporting its network of regional distribution centres and independent retailers.

The retailer has also reshuffled the leadership of its Spar Food Distributors board, with Martin Agnew replacing Nick Bunker as chair.

Agnew has served on the board for more than 25 years and brings extensive experience across the retail and wholesale sectors.

The Spar Food Distributors board said the leadership changes would not alter its focus on delivering the group’s strategic priorities, including supporting Spar’s four regional distribution centres and helping its independent retailers grow their businesses.

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