BP is bolstering its retail team with the appointment of former Marks and Spencer franchise director, David Phillpot, Retail Week has learned.

Phillpot will join BP in a newly created role of convenience trading director of Europe, where he will report to vice president for Convenience Europe, Jo Hayward.

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David Phillpot joins BP in a newly created role

He will play an important role in driving performance and convenience retail growth across BP’s European network of over 3,000 company owned stores, as well as “maximising” BP’s strategic grocery partnerships across Europe.

Phillpot brings over 25 years of experience in diverse food retail roles, and was most recently franchise director at M&S where he led relationships and commercial plans with M&S franchise partners, including BP.

He also held the role of trading director of convenience food at M&S, overseeing key categories including ready meals, food on the move and desserts.

BP VP convenience, Europe, Jo Hayward said: “We are delighted to welcome David to BP as we continue to deliver our exciting growth ambitions for our convenience retail business. With a proven track record of delivering outstanding results at M&S, David brings valuable expertise to our team. I cannot wait for him to get started.”

Phillpot said: “BP’s emphasis on supporting its customers through the energy transition, by providing the fuels they need today and tomorrow, underscores the pivotal role of convenience in BP’s offer.

“With ambitious growth plans in convenience retailing and EV charging across Europe, joining the business at such a transformative phase promises an exciting opportunity to drive growth and performance in the rapidly evolving mobility and convenience sector.

“I am excited to begin this next chapter of my career, meeting teams, partners, and customers across Europe.”

BP is investing in its retail strategy to deliver convenience growth plans with Phillpot being the latest addition to a number of recent executive hires from the retail sector, including Claire Farrant, Joanne Hall and Doris Beger.