Former Starbucks boss joins Costcutter as chief executive

Costcutter Supermarkets Group has appointed Darcy Willson-Rymer, the former managing director of Starbucks UK & Ireland, as its new chief executive, replacing Nick Ivel who leaves after 14 years with the business.

Having spent 19 years with Yum Brands in various positions including operations director for KFC Great Britain, Mr Willson-Rymer took the position of managing director of Persil Services, which provided a network of dry cleaning and laundry concessions within supermarkets across the UK. After three years with Starbucks UK & Ireland as managing director, he took the role of chief executive with Clinton Cards.

Sir Michael Bibby, Bt., managing director of Bibby Line Group, which owns Costcutter, said: “Darcy has an excellent track record within the retail sector and his appointment heralds a new era for Costcutter Supermarkets Group and all of its retailers. I have every confidence that he and the highly skilled board of directors will build upon previous success and drive the business forward.

“I would like to thank Nick for his hard work and the commitment he has given to Costcutter Supermarkets Group over the last 14 years and for the integral role he has played in getting Costcutter Supermarkets Group to where it is today,” added Bibby. “Nick’s knowledge of the convenience retail industry is huge and he will assist with the identification of potential acquisition targets which are crucial to our goal of growing the business and our portfolio of company-owned stores.”

Nick Ivel said: “After 14 years with Costcutter I feel that now is the right time for a change of leadership and a change of direction for me. I will be available to assist Darcy where necessary and to give consultancy support to the business and identify potential acquisition targets.

“I would like to thank all of our retailers for their loyalty and support over the years and the extremely talented and dedicated team at Costcutter who have all played their part in developing the business into the symbol group of choice.”

Willson-Rymer officially takes the role of chief executive on Monday September 10, 2012 and will attend Costcutter’s exhibition and gala dinner in Birmingham on September 17.