Booths has appointed Chris Dee to the newly created position of chief operating officer.

Dee has joined the northern grocer’s board after holding the position of trading director for three years and will continue to hold some of that responsibility.

He will now take responsibility for retail operations, trading, IT and supply control. He will also be in charge of the 28-store chain’s “sustainable expansion”.

Dee has worked for Booths for 20 years including 17 years as wines and spirits buyer, a position also once occupied by chairman Edwin Booth.

Dee said: “Booths occupies an interesting place in the retail market, our regional roots and relative small size help us to forge close relationships with our farmers and producers. We’re able to source exceptional food and drink from small scale producers who would normally avoid supplying the supermarkets.

“We remain committed to giving producers a fair price and shoppers great food. I’m looking forward to the challenges of making Booths a better business while remaining true to the core aim of selling great food coupled with exceptional service.”

Chairman Edwin Booth said: “We’re delighted with the new appointment to the family board and confident that Chris has the skills, dedication and drive to take our business to another level.  The directors look forward to supporting Chris in his new role.”