Bargain Booze owner appoints new MD for Matthew Clark
Bargain Booze owner Conviviality has appointed Mark Aylwin as managing director of Matthew Clark.
The move follows Conviviality’s acquisition of the wholesaler and distributor of alcoholic beverages to the on trade market in the autumn.
Due to take up his position in January, Aylwin will replace Steve Thomson, who after 10 years as Matthew Clark chief executive, has decided to step down although he will remain as a consultant to the business.
Having worked for 35 years in the food and drinks industry, Aylwin has held a range of senior positions at Booker Group, Blueheath, Safeway and Musgrave Group.
He spent eight years at Booker, most recently as managing director of Booker Retail Partners, formerly Musgrave Retail Partners, where he had responsibility for Budgens and Londis. His career also includes 20 years at Safeway where he held senior roles in buying, operations, supply chain and logistics.
Aylwin was a member of the board of both businesses.
Diana Hunter, chief executive of Conviviality, said: “I am delighted to appoint Mark as managing director of our Matthew Clark business. He has a wealth of experience in food and drink wholesale and is ideally placed to develop the Matthew Clark business with our customers and suppliers.
“I would also like to thank Steve Thomson for his contribution to Matthew Clark. Over the past 10 years Steve has led the business, and has presided over a period of significant growth. I am delighted that Steve will continue to work with our business on a consultancy basis for a period of time on a number of key projects and wish him well for the future.”
In a further appointment, Matthew Clark commercial director Ian Smith has become deputy managing director of Matthew Clark with immediate effect.
