Appointments: Coles becomes Co-op’s acquisitions manager; SAS Daniels promotes Tobin;

THE Co-operative Group has appointed Andrew Coles as its new national acquisitions manager for its food business.

The newly-created post heads a six-strong team who will look for potential new outlets for The Co-operative Food, which currently has 3,000 stores nationwide.

Andrew was previously at Asda, where he was responsible for acquisitions in the south of England. 

In his new role he is based at The Co-operative Food’s headquarters in Manchester.

He said: “It’s a very exciting time to be joining The Co-operative Food.

“The Somerfield integration programme is well underway, but that doesn’t mean we are standing still when it comes to new stores. We are determined to keep growing the business.

“One of the great things about The Co-operative Food is the variety of store sizes, from 3,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft, and the range of formats we operate throughout the UK, in rural, suburban, town and city centre locations.

“We are actively searching for new outlets, whether they are existing properties or new development opportunities.”

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LAW firm SAS Daniels has promoted Louise Tobin to the role of head of employment at its Chester office.

She joined the company in 2009 to specialise in equal pay cases, and has worked with many local authorities on employment matters.

Nigel Haddon, managing partner of SAS Daniels LLP, said: “Louise’s appointment in Chester – a new role – means the arrival of vast experience in the city.

“While Louise is one of the country’s leading public sector employment issues practitioners, her department brings a much wider array of skills and expertise to support both public and private sector clients in Chester.”

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