Catering equipment giant Nisbets has appointed bosses at DIY retailer Toolstation and WH Smith to its board.
The firm, which is based in Bristol and is one of the largest suppliers to commercial kitchens across Europe, said Toolstation managing director James MacKenzie and WH Smith’s sustainability director Nicki Woodhead would join as independent non-executive directors with immediate effect.
Mr MacKenzie also sits on the group leadership team of builders merchant Travis Perkins and the advisory board of fintech charity Pennies.
Nisbets said that with more than 25 years in retail, the businessman would bring “extensive international experience of multi-channel and digital expansions” to his work with the company’s digital teams.
Ms Woodhead, is responsible for environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues at global travel retailer WH Smith, which is headquartered in Swindon.
Nisbets said Ms Woodhead will chair the company’s committee on ESG, and help form and progress the firm’s strategy in these areas, having advised major corporations and governments for more than 30 years.
Nisbets chairman Peter Sephton said: “Both James and Nicki bring a deep level of expertise to their roles to the Nisbets board of directors, which will be hugely helpful as we continue to grow.
“Their experience and professional networks reflect symbiotically the work we are doing and the marketplace we operate in, as well as proven track records in delivering sustained and significant commercial success.”
The appointments come days after Nisbets announced its third acquisition of the year, with a deal for fellow catering equipment and furniture rental firm Jongor Hire for an undisclosed sum.
The expanding firm has also snapped up barware supplier Beaumont and Cornish engineering services business UK Engineers in 2022.
Nisbets stocks more than 35,000 products online, by phone and through a network of 28 physical retail stores.
Headquartered in Avonmouth and chaired by founder Andrew Nisbet, the firm employs more than 2,000 people worldwide and has offices in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Australia.
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