Conviviality in directorship change

British drinks supplier and off-trade retailer Conviviality has announced the appointment of a new managing director for its recently purchased Matthew Clark business.

Mark Aylwin, the new managing director of Matthew Clark (Photo: Conviviality)

Mark Aylwin will replace Steve Thomson, who is stepping down as CEO of drinks supplier Matthew Clark after 10 years in the role, and will take up his position in January 2016.

Thomson, who has left Matthew Clark to “pursue other interests” according to the company, led the distributor when it was bought out by Conviviality in October in a £200 million deal.

Diana Hunter, CEO of Conviviality, said that Aylwin is “ideally placed to develop the Matthew Clark business with our customers and suppliers.”

She said “integration is ahead of plan” following the takeover of Matthew Clark. She continued, “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”.

Aylwin has over 35 years’ experience in the food and drinks industry, having held senior positions in Booker Group Plc, Blueheath Plc, Safeway Plc and Musgrave Group.

He most recently worked as managing director of Booker Retail Partners where he had responsibility for the Budgens and Londis retailers. P

Hunter thanked Steve Thomson for his contribution to the business, saying that he “presided over a period of significant growth”, and played an “integral role” throughout the recent acquisition process.

Ian Smith, commercial director Matthew Clark, will also become deputy managing director with immediate effect.