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New managing director at Matthew Clark after Conviviality acquisition

Published:  07 December, 2015

On-trade distributor Matthew Clark is to get a new managing director following its acquisition by Conviviality Retail in a £200 million reverse takeover in October.

Mark Aylwin will replace outgoing managing director Steve Thomson in January 2016.

Aylwin joins Matthew Clark from the Booker Group, where he was managing director of Booker Retail Partners, with responsibility for Budgens and Londis.

His 35 years' experience in the food and drinks sector also includes 20 years at Safeway plc, where he held senior roles in buying, operations, supply chain and logistics.

Ian Smith, currently commercial director at Matthew Clark, will move up to deputy managing director. He has been at Matthew Clark for 37 years.

Steve Thomson, who has been chief executive of Matthew Clark for ten years, has decided to step down to pursue other interests.

He will continue to work with Matthew Clark as a consultant on a number of key projects.

Steve Thomson, chief executive officer of Matthew Clark

Diana Hunter, chief executive, of Conviviality Plc, said: "I am delighted to appoint Mark as managing director of our Matthew Clark business. He has a wealth of experience in food and drink wholesale and is ideally placed to develop the Matthew Clark business with our customers and suppliers.

"I am pleased with the progress we have made since the acquisition and the integration is ahead of plan.

"The key hires required to deliver our synergies are in place ahead of plan and all the teams in both businesses are working well together.

"I would also like to thank Steve Thomson for his contribution to Matthew Clark. Over the past 10 years, Steve has led the business and presided over a period of significant growth.

"Steve was integral throughout the recent acquisition process while also ensuring that customers continued to receive the high level of service that they had come to expect from Matthew Clark."

Aylwin said: "I am delighted to be joining Conviviality plc at this exciting time in the company's development. Matthew Clark is a great business and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to drive growth, whilst delivering outstanding customer service to the on-trade."

Mark Aylwin

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