Morrisons appoints Katharine Challinor from Allwyn to lead its independent franchise division.
- Challinor replaces Nick Russell as Morrisons focuses on franchise enhancements.
- Her background includes roles at Allwyn, Post Office, and Sainsbury’s.
- Morrisons enhances distribution to improve product freshness.
- Both Morrisons and Challinor express enthusiasm for the new appointment.
Morrisons has made a strategic appointment by bringing Katharine Challinor on board as the head of its independent franchise division. Challinor arrives from her previous role at Allwyn, where she led as the director of retail, and she will be succeeding Nick Russell in this key position.
Challinor’s professional journey is marked by significant roles including her tenure at the Post Office as the director of branch retail design, and she held the position of café trading manager at Sainsbury’s between 2015 and 2017. Her expertise in retail management is anticipated to drive Morrisons’ objective of bolstering its franchise operations.
This leadership change occurs as Morrisons is actively engaged in expanding its franchise services. The supermarket has invested in the augmentation of its ambient distribution centre, an initiative aimed at facilitating the direct receipt of fresh produce from suppliers. This strategic move is expected to enhance the availability of fresher goods for its retailers, reflecting Morrisons’ commitment to operational excellence.
Expressing his confidence in the new hire, Morrisons convenience director, Paul Dobson, noted, “We’re delighted to be welcoming Katharine to our team as we continue to support our new and existing franchise partners. Her extensive experience in this sector makes her a great addition to our team.” Challinor mirrored this sentiment, stating her enthusiasm for fostering growth and strengthening community ties through her role.
The appointment underscores Morrisons’ ongoing efforts to refine its distribution capabilities and to strengthen relationships with its franchised retailers, aligning with its broader strategic goals in the competitive supermarket sector.
Morrisons’ strategic hiring of Katharine Challinor is poised to enhance its franchise services and strengthen retail partnerships.
