Ward first joined Country Range Group in 2002 as a foodservice buyer where he played a ‘key role’ in the development of the brand. He became trading director in 2015 where he helped the Group to cement its place as the ‘leading foodservice buying group in the UK’.

He commented: “It’s been an incredibly tough last few years and turbulent times may lay ahead but if I have learnt anything in recent times, it’s that our Group has the resources, creativity, resilience and most importantly – the amazing people within our teams, to face and conquer anything thrown at us.

“We have a busy period coming up with our annual ‘An Evening with…’ event taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral in December bringing an end to our 30th anniversary celebrations, the launch of the Country Range Student Chef Challenge 2023, some exciting new product launches for Christmas, as well as planning for 2023 all on the horizon.”

The Country Range Group mission remains to ‘ensure our members achieve a faster and more profitable growth by being a member of our group’.

John Gould, the longest-serving Country Range Group board member and managing director of Turner Price Ltd, added: “Martin knows the members and Group inside out and his detail and knowledge when it comes to buying is second to none. We know he has the skills, determination and tenacity to succeed at whatever he does, so we’re delighted he accepted the role.”