Major Australian trader Fresh Produce Group (FPG) has appointed Peter Pokorny as its new chief operating officer and Gerome Raco as commercial director of domestic fruit.
Pokorny, who will report directly to FPG managing director Robert Nugan, brings more than 35 years of retail experience to the company, having served in key produce management roles with Australian retail chains Coles Supermarkets and Woolworths, as well as independent grocery chain Harris Farm Markets.
“Peter brings a wealth of experience to FPG at an important stage in the development of our business,” said Nugan. “FPG is very fortunate to attract a credentialed executive such as Peter at this exciting time in the growth of our company.”
Pokorny will wind down his consulting business, Pokornyfresh, which he has been running since departing Coles in 2009.
“I really respect what Robert Nugan’s built with the Fresh Produce Group. It’s a change of direction for me, but I’m really looking forward to it,” he told Produce Plus.
Raco brings more than 12 years’ experience in produce trading and marketing with him, previously working with Holman Fresh and Panda Ranch, as well as working in the industry in the US, UK and Europe.
Raco’s experience will help FPG advance its category and production expansion plans, vertical and horizontal integration, intellectual property commercialisation and supply chain development, the company explained.
The two have already started in their new roles.
The appointments are in line with FPG’s significant expansion in recent years, and its further plans for growth in production and imports.
