Former Asda chief joins Euro Garages
THE former boss of supermarket group Asda has joined North West petrol station group Euro Garages as executive chairman.
In what is a major coup for the privately-owned Blackburn company, Mr Bond, has bought a stake in the business too.
Since it was founded by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa with a single petrol station in Bury in 2001 Euro Garages is now the country’s second-largest independent forecourt operator and retailer.
It has a portfolio of 70 freehold-owned sites across the North of England and the Midlands. It has increased sales 150% in the last five years from £117m to £285m and employs 1,000 people.
Euro Garages owns and operating predominantly BP-branded filling stations, it has recently launched partnerships with several leading brands, bringing SPAR convenience stores, Subway and Burger King eateries and Greggs bakery stores onto its estate.
Last year, it also signed a licensing deal with Starbucks to open up to 50 drive-thru outlets over the next five years – the coffee brand’s first UK roll-out of this kind.
The company’s strategy has been to buy run-down, under-performing filling stations for redevelopment, upgrading traditional ‘pump and kiosk’ operations to modern forecourts with food-to-go outlets and convenience retail space.
Mr Bond said: “I’ve been hugely impressed by the business and the team at Euro Garages. In just 10 years, it has achieved significant scale in the sector and earned a well-deserved reputation for innovation, quality and customer service – values which are real success drivers in a retail business.
“I’m looking forward to helping the team continue its impressive growth.”
Mohsin Issa, director of Euro Garages, said: “Andy’s track record speaks for itself. As well as significant retail and management expertise, he brings enormous drive and energy to the team, which is critical in an ambitious, high-growth business like ours.
“I’m confident his appointment will help us accelerate the momentum we’ve created over the last 10 years and deliver our growth strategy.”
Mr Bond stepped down as chief executive and chairman at Leeds-based Asda last May, but remained on the board.
After revealing last week that he was severing all ties with Asda, he has also joined Yorkshire retailer Republic as executive chairman.
