Sainsbury’s has poached McColl’s chief commercial officer to take up a key food role as it ramps up focus on its core grocery business. 

The big-four grocer has hired Richard Crampton as its new director of fresh food and food services. 

Crampton will leave McColl’s next month and will take up his new role at the supermarket giant later in the year. 

The switch will mark a return to 33 Holborn for Crampton who previously spent almost eight years with Sainsbury’s, spanning several senior roles.

Richard Crampton

Source: McColl’s

Richard Crampton

He joined Sainsbury’s in 2008 as category manager and managing director of its online entertainment division. In 2012, he took on responsibility for petrol, news and magazines, tobacco and kiosk, before being named chief executive of Sainsbury’s Mobile in October 2013.

Crampton moved to the Co-op as managing director of buying in December 2015 and joined convenience rival McColl’s in September 2019.

McColl’s said Crampton will not be directly replaced as chief commercial officer. Instead, chief operating officer Karen Bird will take on additional commercial responsibilities.

McColl’s boss Jonathan Miller said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Richard for the valuable contribution he has made to the business over the past two years and to wish him every success in his future role.

“I am delighted that Karen will now be incorporating commercial into the role of COO. Karen has made a significant contribution to the business since joining in 2016 and has been instrumental in leading the Morrisons Daily rollout.

“With these changes, I am confident that we have a strong team in place to implement our strategy and that the rollout of Morrisons Daily will deliver long-term sustainable growth.”

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