Londis FD to join Conviviality as CFO

NEWLY-listed AIM company Conviviality Retail, has strengthened its senior team with the hire of a new chief financial officer.

Julie Wirth, 48, will join the Crewe-based company in early November, She will succeed Peter Hodgson, who is retiring after 20 years with the business which owns the Bargain Booze chain.

Julie Wirth has more than 25 years’ experience in the retail sector. She joins Conviviality from Musgrave Retail Partners GB which includes the Budgens and Londis brands where she has been finance director since 2008.

Before this she held a number of roles within Home Retail Group over a 20 year period, finally as the director of group finance and was involved in the company’s demerger from GUS and flotation on the  London Stock Exchange.

Diana Hunter, chief executive said: “I am delighted to welcome to Conviviality a Finance Director of the calibre and experience  of Julie.  She has worked in businesses that utilise the same model so understands fully the axis between the company and its partners, the franchisees. “

Julie Wirth added: ” I look forward to joining Diana and the team and see Conviviality as a terrific opportunity to join a business with strong brands, the appropriate capital structure and a robust platform for growth. I am delighted to be joining at this most exciting time. “