Tesco, David Ward
How long have you been in the role?
DW: I’ve been the Tesco CCO since 2013 and worked as a Tesco lawyer since 2004.
What’s the most common query you hear?
DW: Suppliers contact me most often when they are in a delist situation and want to take advantage of their right to meet with the CCO. It gives suppliers an important opportunity to be heard by Tesco.
What would you say to suppliers who fear negative
consequences if they come forward?
DW: It’s really important for suppliers to have the confidence to contact me if they believe there has been a breach of GSCoP because it may be the best way to resolve their concerns. I can act quickly if there are live issues and, more often than not, use my position to find the right solution.
What other advice do you have?
DW: I think suppliers would benefit from increased awareness since the code is principally designed to protect them, but I recognise that for small suppliers in particular it is quite a complex piece of legislation.
Lidl, Tim Belser
What is your goal for the year?
TB: To further strengthen Lidl’s collaborative working relationship with its suppliers and the Groceries Code Adjudicator, and to continue my open and proactive relationship with the Lidl buying team.
What’s your top piece of advice for suppliers?
TB: Although annual training on the code is only mandatory for retailers, I personally believe that suppliers could benefit from implementing internal training programmes.
What is the most common query you hear?
TB: I am happy to say that suppliers have been able to work out any code queries with the Lidl buying team directly.
How often do you come across a breach of the code?
TB: This has not happened. I am confident that through our effective annual training and direct communication channels, the Lidl buying team will continue to demonstrate its awareness of the importance of, and its responsibilities under, the code.
The Co-operative, Phil Willsmer
What’s your background?
PW: I am an ex-police officer and I have worked in a number of retailers prior to starting with the Co-operative Group in 2004.
What is your biggest challenge?
PW: Getting my name recognised with our supplier base. Despite writing to them on a number of occasions and my details being on our supplier portal, for some reason they appear not to have this information. My second-biggest challenge is to ensure that all our buyers have GSCoP in their DNA and ensuring that the code is always considered in their day-to-day dealings with suppliers.
What achievement as CCO are you most proud of?
PW: The introduction of the GSCoP governance group comprising all the senior buyers and the commercial director. This group meets monthly and discusses all aspects of the code and how we can implement it successfully across the commercial team.
Morrisons, Steve Butts
What is your top priority?
SB: Keeping on top of developments in the business and ensuring that we think about any code issues at the start of changes that could affect trading function. We talk to suppliers about these in advance and, if necessary, flag with adjudicator.
What’s the most common query you hear?
SB: Problems occur when challenges that suppliers face aren’t flagged with us early enough, so my advice would always be to raise concerns as soon as you can with your commercial contact and if you’re not satisfied consider raising it with the category director.
What would you say to suppliers who fear negative consequences about raising an issue?
SB: That shouldn’t be a concern. If your view is that this is an issue then something isn’t right with the commercial relationship in the first place. Raise the issue, in writing. If it’s a code matter then after the buying team, suppliers can always contact me.
Any other tips?
SB: In terms of awareness, there is still a way to go. Suppliers should read the code, and then if you have concerns raise them in a positive way rather than as a negotiating tactic.
Aldi, Jonathan Ward
What’s your top priority?
JW: Our priority is to maintain our position as best-performing supermarket in terms of overall compliance with the GSCoP code for the second year in a row.
What’s the most common query you hear?
JW: We have never had a breach of the code, which pays testament to our strong relationships with our fresh produce suppliers.
What would you say to suppliers who fear to come forward?
JW: We have open and transparent relationships with our suppliers and welcome direct feedback. If a supplier needs to talk with us they can either speak with the buying director that looks after that particular category or contact me directly.
The other option available to all suppliers, regardless of which supermarket they supply, is to contact the GCA directly. The GCA is then legally obliged to maintain supplier confidentiality.
What has changed since Christine Tacon was appointed?
JW: Our business model has always relied upon the long-term and mutually beneficial relationships that we have with our suppliers.
Any advice for suppliers?
DR: We would advise all suppliers to make sure they really know the code, found on the GCA website. We would also advise our suppliers to familiarise themselves with key contacts within our business.
What would you say to suppliers who fear negative consequences if they come forward?
DR: We treat the code very seriously and have strict processes if a supplier were to raise an issue. Our relationships with suppliers are governed by the John Lewis Partnership’s constitution and we are committed to treating our suppliers with fairness and honesty.
What is the most little-known area of the code in your opinion?
DR: I don’t believe that there is necessarily one area that stands out. Instead, there is a lack of general awareness surrounding the code and we are keen to work with the GCA to address this.
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