Guy McCracken, a former Marks & Spencer managing director and the man who played a leading role in the turnaround of The Co-operative’s food business, is to join Branston Ltd as chairman.
At its annual conference this week, Branston announced that McCracken will take up the helm this month, following on from outgoing chairman Chris Howard.
With a series of executive posts across the retail sector spanning four decades, McCracken, 61, was chief executive of food retail for The Co-operative Group from 2005 to 2008, during which he led a transformation of the food business.
Before joining The Co-operative Group, McCracken held a seven-year chairmanship at Duchy Originals Ltd, during which the Duchy Originals brand underwent rapid growth and development.
McCracken had a long career with M&S, working with the company from 1975 to 1990 and holding several high-profile roles. He became a plc board director at M&S in 1990 and roles included director of the food division from 1993 to 1998, where he oversaw a turnover of around £3 billion. He was M&S joint managing director from 1994 to 2000.
The appointment of McCracken is a big coup for Branston, which also has sites in Scotland and Somerset. McCracken said: “I am delighted to be joining Branston, which is widely respected for its leadership in the industry. Under Chris Howard’s chairmanship, the business has made great progress and I look forward to working with md Graeme Beattie and his team in the exciting times that lie ahead.”
Branston’s turnover has grown from less than £5 million in 1988 to more than £110m and it is now Tesco’s biggest fresh produce supplier.
Managing director Graeme Beattie said: “We are delighted that Guy is coming to join Branston. We know that his experience will take Branston into a further important period of development. He has fantastic experience in the fresh food industry which will add a real retail focus to our business.
“Now that Branston has become a leading retail supplier, our company has a change of emphasis and focus and Guy will be able to offer his huge knowledge of the food sector.”
Outgoing chairman Chris Howard, 71, has been with the company since its inception in the 1960s. He became chairman in 1988 and led the company through a period of massive change and growth, being involved in the acquisition of the Tesco account in 1990. He has stepped down as chairman but will stay with the company as a major shareholder.
In a statement the company said: “Chris has done a fantastic job as chairman of Branston, and was in right at the beginning. We offer him our utmost thanks for all his hard work over the years and know that he will continue to contribute to the success of the company.”
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