Steven Nuttall will assume the role of CFO at A.F. Blakemore on 6 May 2025. He will collaborate with the current CFO, Ian Kellett, during a transition period before Kellett’s retirement at the end of this month, following less than a year in the position.
Nuttall brings a wealth of experience to this role. He has served as group chief financial officer at Flamingo Group International since January 2024. Prior to that, he held various positions at Asda, including a tenure as interim chief financial officer from May 2022 to May 2023.
Additionally, Nuttall spent over five years with the Co-op, most notably as finance director for Co-op Food, enriching his expertise in finance and operations.
As CFO at A.F. Blakemore, Nuttall will not only join the firm’s board and executive team but will also manage finance, property, IT, and procurement responsibilities.
A.F. Blakemore’s CEO, Carol Welch, commented on this pivotal appointment: “I want to thank Ian for his leadership in the significant transformation of our financial rigor, improved processes, and systems during his time with us.”
“As Ian steps away, I’m absolutely thrilled to have Steven join the AFB team. He will bring a wealth of retail leadership and financial expertise with a strong track record in business profit growth, strategy, and talent development, making him instrumental as we continue to pursue our long-term future growth objectives.”
In response, Nuttall expressed enthusiasm about joining A.F. Blakemore, stating he is excited to collaborate with Welch and the board.
“It’s an exciting time to come back into convenience retail, and I’m looking forward to being part of this great family business and the ambitious growth plans at A.F. Blakemore,” he added.
A.F. Blakemore operates 248 SPAR stores across England and Wales, positioning itself as the largest SPAR wholesaler in the UK. Moreover, it stands out as a leading foodservice and wholesale provider to the broader retail and leisure sectors in the UK.