Booker is strengthening its drinks division with the appointment of Pete Bexton as Director of Trading for Beers, Wines and Spirits.
Pete will be responsible for overseeing trading and sourcing, playing a pivotal role in implementing the company’s beers, wines and spirits (BWS) growth strategy within both the on-and off-trade.
He joins the business following 17 years in senior positions at Tesco, with 15 of these within alcoholic drinks. His most recent role was Category Director for Prepared Foods and he brings a wealth of expertise in strategic category management, range optimisation and customer experience enhancement.
Reporting to Sheila Gallagher, Booker Commercial Director, Pete will be responsible for a team of 22, whose role is to develop the drinks side of the business.
Pete says: “Beers, wines and spirits is an area I feel passionate about and I’m delighted to be taking on this role, working with a team of driven and talented colleagues. It’s an exciting time to join Booker as the business is on course for expansion; plus, the drinks industry is ever-changing, consumer preferences are evolving, and it’s important for us to ensure we move with the times and that our business decisions keep us ahead of the game.
“We’ve set ambitious growth targets and I’m confident we can take Booker to the next level.”
Sheila Gallagher says: “This is a great move for the business as Pete brings true pedigree in trading and managing high performing sales teams at a time when we’re focusing our efforts on exploring opportunities within the BWS category. He will be a great asset to us as we continue to strengthen our portfolio, build our reputation for supplying a breadth of quality beers, wines and spirits, and consolidate our position in the competitive but lively drinks space.
“Pete’s position will allow Neil Jewsbury to focus on his role as Managing Director at Venus Wines and Spirits, which we acquired in June 2024. Venus is a core part of our drinks offering, supporting the on-trade with premium wines, spirits and beers.”
This month, Venus announced the opening of a fifth distribution centre in Birmingham as part of Booker Group’s strategy to bolster its on-trade beverage portfolio and grow its presence within wholesale and hospitality across UK regions.
To find out more about Booker, visit https://www.booker.co.uk/
