Chris Sturman is to retire as chief executive of the Food Storage and Distribution Federation after nine years at the helm.
He will be replaced by Shane Brennan who joins the federation in mid-July from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents farmers and landowners.
Tim Moran, president of FSDF and managing director – logistics at the Yearsley Group, said: “We are grateful for the achievements and leadership of Chris Sturman over the last nine years, and as an active FSDF Board member in the 11 years before that, and wish him well in his retirement.”
Sturman has had a forty five year career in the logistics industry including positions with TDG, NFC/BRS Southern, Ross Youngs and Wincanton giving him wide experience of operational, tactical and strategic food supply chain and logistics management.
He went on to become managing director of West Kent Cold Storage and then chief executive of Linq Alliance.
He has also has undertaken high profile consultancy assignments across the supply chain and logistics sector in UK, Europe, Central Asia and USA.
Before taking on the role of FSDF chief executive, Sturman served as a board member. He is a fellow and past member of the council and board, of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK, and is a Transaid Ambassador.
Brennan was external affairs director of the CLA, leading the media, political, publishing and digital business. Before the CLA, he was a member of the leadership team at the Association of Convenience Stores.
He said: “I look forward to working with Tim Moran, the board, the staff team and all the members to take the FSDF into its next phase. I am grateful to my predecessor Chris Sturman who has done so much to make the FSDF the successful organisation it is today”.
Welcoming Brennan, Moran said: “The food logistics industry has many challenges ahead, a dynamic marketplace with retailer and customer consolidation along with the continued uncertainties of Brexit. All these factors make Shane’s appointment pivotal to the next phase in the Federation’s life cycle.”
