Simon Warren has been appointed head of store recruitment by Appleby Westward Group, the regional distribution company for Spar stores in the South West.

He will spearhead a store recruitment drive by the company, seeking to attract 24 convenience stores under the Spar banner in the South West by the end of the year.

Warren, who lives in Poole, has been with the Saltash-based company for 11 years. He joined after working as a trainee manager for his parents Bernard and Katrina in their Spar store in Wool, Dorset.

He began his career with Appleby Westward as a business advisor for NAAFI stores in the territory before moving into a similar role looking after independent Spar stores in Dorset and Hampshire.

“We have a compelling offer to make to independent convenience retailers in the south west to help them maximise the potential of their stores,” said Warren. “Appleby Westward has set aside £2 million for co-investment development schemes with our retailers this year. And SPAR is a leader in neighbourhood shopping, a trusted local brand while also being an international household name with more retail stores worldwide than any other in the sector.”

Appleby Westward has invested over £10 million in co-investment development schemes with independent SPAR stores throughout the south west in the last five years.