Today’s Group Appoints New MD

13/01/2009

Nisa-Today’s has appointed Bill Laird to succeed the long serving managing director of its wholesale arm, Rodney Hunt on his retirement at the end of March 2009.

Formerly chief operating officer of the Midcounties Co-Operative where he led a sustained period of growth and business change, Bill has spent his entire career within the grocery and non-food sectors. He joins the Today's Group from his own consultancy and has supported a number of UK retail and international foodservice organisations - including Sodexho Defence and the former Leeds Co-op - to develop and implement new strategic approaches within their various markets.

Commenting on the appointment Neil Turton, chief executive officer of Nisa-Today’s said, “Bill has significant experience of senior management roles in mutual companies and has operated very successfully at Board level in large organisations. He was the unanimous choice for the role after a rigorous interview process and we are confident that he will drive the Today’s Group forward in the challenging economic times and beyond. The Board and I would like to thank Rodney for the outstanding contribution he has made to Nisa-Today’s for the past 27 years and wish him a relaxing and well-deserved retirement.”

Bill will join the group on 1st March 2009 and will become a member of Nisa-Today’s (Holdings) Board Limited. He added, "I am delighted to be joining Nisa-Today’s which presents me with an exciting new challenge, although I recognise Rodney Hunt will be a tough act to follow. I believe I bring extensive industry experience and a retailer’s perspective to the wholesale business that will hopefully add a new dimension and value to the excellent relationships the group enjoys with members."

Rodney Hunt concluded, “I am delighted that Bill has been appointed to the role, having been closely involved in the interview process. I am confident that he will continue to develop the Today’s Group successfully in the future and look forward to starting work on a handover with him in March. I hope that Bill finds working with Nisa-Today’s as rewarding as I have done for over two decades.”

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