Midwich appoints head of European operations

Midwich has appointed James Parker as head of European operations.

With 17 years’ distribution experience, Parker has a diverse background within operations and business improvement. Parker has previously held managerial positions including

group logistics and procurement director and purchasing and marketing director, while also integrating acquired businesses and delivering business improvement initiatives.

Most recently, Parker worked at DIY retailer Homebase Bunnings, driving its operational improvement programme after the Bunnings acquisition.

Parker’s role as head of European operations will predominantly focus on pre-acquisition due diligence, post-acquisition company integrations, and group-wide infrastructure projects. There will be a specific drive to leverage group strengths in delivering synergies across the European subsidiaries. Parker will report to the group’s European director.

Parker commented: “I am excited to have joined Midwich at this key stage in the group’s growth journey. I am very much looking forward to working with the European subsidiary teams to support their growth aspirations and help deliver synergies across the group.

Tom Sumner, European director at the Midwich Group, commented: “We are delighted to welcome James into the Midwich Group. I am very confident that this appointment will provide us with additional expertise to deliver on our ambitious growth plans – especially as we continue to increase our international footprint.”

The group recently announced its pre-close trading statement in which it reported revenue for 2017 of approximately £470 million, representing growth of around 28 per cent over the prior year. Midwich will announce its final results for the year ended 31 December 2017 on 13 March 2018.