UNITAS WHOLESALE

PEOPLE NEWS: GOLDNEY QUITS

DARREN GOLDNEY TO LEAVE UNITAS WHOLESALE

UNITAS WHOLESALE MD DARREN GOLDNEY IS TO LEAVE THE BUSINESS IN APRIL AFTER THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS, SUCCEEDED BY JOHN KINNEY.

Darren Goldney, Managing Director of Unitas Wholesale is to leave the business in April. He will be succeeded by the current Sales and Marketing Director, John Kinney. Goldney will leave the group, the largest wholesale services company in the UK, after three-and-a-half successful years following his appointment as MD of Today’s Group in November 2017.

Kinney has been with the organisation since 2011 and was Retail Director prior to his appointment to the role of Sales and Marketing Director, giving him broad experience of both the Unitas business and wider wholesale industry.

John Kinney

Under Darren Goldney’s leadership, Unitas Wholesale members have seen their sales grow through more effective use of technology, providing new and innovative services, improving customer engagement and forging closer relationships with suppliers.

Goldney said: “It is difficult to express how proud I am of our achievements over the last three years, not just in what we’ve managed to bring together for members but also in the way we have collaborated to achieve positive change across our business.

“Together, Unitas members are becoming a more effective and focused route to market that recognises suppliers are also customers – and that all customers need a champion of independents and brands. We’ve step-changed our use of technology, driven down operating costs, our members’ sales have grown collectively, and we have expanded the services we offer to both members and suppliers in reaching the near 200,000 customers we serve.

“I am immensely proud of the staff and my team, and I am extremely thankful to the board and members for their support. That ‘change agenda’ has been the most invigorating of my career – and it has inspired me to take my Unitas experience and passion for leadership to find the right new and fresh challenge.”

Goldney said he was delighted that Kinney will be leading the organisation as it continues to evolve in future.

“John has the insight, capability, drive and depth of character to lead Unitas Wholesale in the next phase of its journey,” he said.

Kinney commented: “I am extremely pleased to be given the opportunity by the Unitas board to lead the organisation forward. This is a great business with a fantastic opportunity to grow and improve further. While there are challenges for our members servicing the out-of-home sector due to the impact of Covid, I am confident in the future for the group and I am looking forward to working with all our members and suppliers to maximise the opportunities for all.”