AF Blakemore’s CEO, Carol Welch, is pleased to announce the promotion of Matt Teague to the role of managing director, retail. In this new position, Teague will oversee both Spar divisions, Blakemore Retail and Blakemore Trade Partners. The goal is to enhance collaboration, tap into the varied skills and talent pool, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience between company-owned and independent Spar stores. Ultimately, this strategy aims to accelerate growth for both types of retailers.
Teague and his team will be responsible for driving growth in fresh food to go and food for later, as well as acquiring, partnering with, extending, and refurbishing stores to maximize retail sales per square foot. They will also strive to maintain excellent operational standards and provide exceptional customer service. To support Teague in these efforts, he will work closely with key individuals such as Chris Bacon, store operations director, Louis Drake, retail sales director (formerly commercial director, BTP), and Tom Blakemore, retail development director (formerly commercial director, fresh foods). Their collective efforts will focus on enhancing the quality of the store portfolio across both the Spar and Philpotts brands. Additionally, Steve Gale, head of formats excellence, will collaborate with the team to develop customer-focused retail store formats for both Spar and Philpotts.
Welch acknowledges the challenges and opportunities that AF Blakemore has faced in recent years. Nevertheless, she emphasizes the company’s strong financial performance in 22/23, largely driven by the Spar retail estate. Looking ahead, AF Blakemore remains committed to sustaining this growth by continuously meeting customer needs and establishing solid relationships with suppliers and partners.
The introduction of a new organizational structure aims to leverage the company’s strengths and successes. By fostering collaboration both internally and externally, AF Blakemore aims to deliver its future-oriented strategy effectively.
