P&H appoints chief operating officer

Palmer and Harvey has appointed Helen Buck as chief operating officer.

Buck, who will take up the newly created role in November, will focus on supporting Palmer and Harvey’s long-term strategic development, as it looks to deliver a step change in the growth of the business.

She joins Palmer and Harvey after 10 years at Sainsbury’s, where she held a number of senior roles and has been a member of the operating board for the past six years. Most recently, she was business development director, responsible for the online business and was involved in key projects such as the launch of Sainsbury’s mobile phone network and Sainsbury’s joint venture with Netto, the Danish discount retailer, having previously held roles as retail director and convenience director. Previously she held senior marketing and management positions at Marks and Spencer, Woolworths and Safeway. She is currently non executive director at LSL Property Service plc.

The appointment of Buck as chief operating officer comes as part of a broader strengthening of Palmer and Harvey’s senior management team, following the appointment Mark Leonard (formerly head of supply chain logistics at The Cooperative Group) as group operations director, as well as a new supply chain director, regional operations director and an enhanced depot management team.

Chris Etherington, chairman and chief executive officer of Palmer and Harvey, said: “We are delighted that Helen is joining Palmer and Harvey to drive the next phase of our strategy and growth. This has been a year of transformation for us, notably through the significant partnership with Costcutter Supermarkets Group, which has been a step change win for the business. Helen comes with a wealth of experience in the retail sector, and her knowledge of customer buying behaviour and industry dynamics will be of enormous value as we continue to grow.”