Nisa makes key appointment as part of business restructure

Nisa Retail has recruited Vodafone’s head of retail Steve Leach to the newly-created position of business unit director for independents and specialists, as part of the organisation’s strategy to become a more consumer-facing retail business.

The new structure creates two business unit director roles, one for independent and specialists, and one for symbol group. As a result, John Heagney and Andrew J Mouse have undergone a consultation process and both will be leaving the organisation. Mouse will be staying with Nisa for a further 12 months on a fixed term contract through his own consultancy firm with a specific focus on recruitment, while Heagney will leave Nisa at the end of December.

Nisa Retail chief executive Neil Turton commented: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank John and Andrew for all that they have delivered for Nisa in their current roles and wish them every success for the future.”

Leach, who joins the group in January, will report directly into chief operating officer Amanda Jones, and his role will focus on supporting the needs of Nisa’s independent and specialist members, such as the McColl’s Retail Group, with the aim of developing and growing this side of the business. Prior to his stint at Vodafone, he also held senior roles at Alliance Boots, as head of retail transformation, as well as management roles at Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer.

Jones commented: “We are delighted to welcome Steve on board and his appointment demonstrates the positive strategic direction Nisa is taking to become a more retail-focused business that is more equipped to deliver retail solutions and benefits to our wide range of differing members in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

In a separate development, Raj Krishan has been promoted to format & development director. Krishan has considerable experience of format development having worked at Blakemore and Landmark Wholesale prior to joining Nisa three years ago, and more recently has been responsible for the creation of the group’s Loco fascia and Nisa’s forecourt format development.