Wholesale Distribution Committee

Representing members from the Wholesale Distribution sector of our industry, the committee provides a forum to enable members to raise industry issues and also to contribute the view of the Wholesale Distribution sector to help BFFF decide strategy and action. There is also a unique opportunity for the Committee to liase and network with the PIB Committee to the benefit of both BFFF and the membership as it can enable issues affecting both sectors of membership to be discussed openly and effectively. The Chair, Vice-Chair and 3rd sector representative also serve on Executive Council. If you are interested in becoming more involved, please contact Emma Cranidge on 01400 283090 or emmacranidge [at] bfff [dot] co [dot] uk.

Adrian Whitehead

Group Legal Director & Company Secretary - BRAKES

Chair - Wholesale Distribution Committee
WD Committee Chair - Executive Council

Adrian Whitehead - Group Legal Director and Company Secretary of Brake Bros Limited providing legal, trademarks, estate management and insurance advice to the Group.

Brakes is a leading UK supplier to the catering industry of frozen and chilled produce together with fresh fish, fresh produce, bakery products, prime meats and catering equipment.

Group Commercial Director - 3663

Vice-Chair - Wholesale Distribution Committee
WD Committee Vice-Chair - Executive Council

Ian Crawford is Group Commercial Director for 3663, a leading UK foodservice provider supplying an extensive range of fresh, chilled, frozen and ambient food lines, beverages and alcoholic drinks alongside non-food essentials such as cleaning materials and catering equipment.

3663 supply over 55,000 customers across the hospitality industry in the private and public sectors.

Chief Executive - FAIRWAY FOODSERVICE PLC

WD 3rd Representative on Executive Council - Wholesale Distribution Committee
WD Committee 3rd Representative - Executive Council

Fairway Foodservice is owned by 19 foodservice wholesale companies and acts exclusively on behalf of those companies by negotiating with service-suppliers and product manufacturers and co-ordinating the Members purchasing volumes to effect best cost price for the volumes Members deliver.

Chris Binge has been Chief Executive of the Group for 7 years prior to which he was Purchasing Director.

Managing Director - THE COUNTRY RANGE GROUP LTD.

Wholesale Distribution Committee

Colin Birchall is Managing Director of the Country Range Group, which comprises 14 independent wholesale food suppliers operating out of over 20 depots throughout the UK and Channel Islands. The Group organises biannual conferences and publishes Stir it up magazine 10 times a year.

Colin also heads the family-owned business, Birchall Catering Supplies, and has over 40 years’ experience working in the food industry.

Chairman - KENT FROZEN FOODS LTD.

Wholesale Distribution Committee

Peter Clarke is Chairman of Kent Frozen Foods, a leading independent foodservice supplier, and has over 35 years experience within the industry.

KFF’s expertise lies in the provision of ambient, chilled and frozen goods to caterers in the South of England, ranging from basic essentials to specialist fine foods. They also specialize in locally sourced artisan products

Chief Executive - STERLING SUPERGROUP LTD.

Wholesale Distribution Committee

Founded in 1966, the Sterling Supergroup is a member's buying co-operative, with 50 wholesalers and an annual turnover in excess of £450 million. The membership consists of family owned wholesale companies located throughout the United Kingdom, supplying retail and catering outlets.

Chief Executive Vanessa Cooper has been with Sterling since 2004”

Senior Commercial Director - ALLIED FOODS

Wholesale Distribution Committee

Gerard Gaffney is Commercial Director at Allied Logistics Ltd in Ireland. A supply chain professional with 20 years’ experience at management and Director level, specialising in identifying areas for growth and leading teams in its implementation. Allied Logistics is a leading ambient and temperature controlled distributor, offering a wide range of supply-chain solutions, specialist warehousing and distribution for the ambient, chill and frozen markets. We have a continuous programme of investment in our facilities and network to provide a strong growth platform for our clients. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of DCC plc, which currently employs 8,000 people and is listed on the Irish and London stock exchanges.

Food Sales Director - HARRY YEARSLEY LTD. T/A YEARSLEY GROUP

Wholesale Distribution Committee

With over 27 years experience in the industry including 10 years as Yearsley Group Food Sales Director, Ian looks after all food business which has seen significant growth over this period.

Yearsley Food wholesale distributes a comprehensive range of innovative frozen products to all sectors of the marketplace, including export, with a reputation for outstanding customer service.

Members login

Wholesale Distribution Committee

Adrian Whitehead

Ian Crawford

Chris Binge

Colin Birchall

Peter Clarke

Vanessa Cooper

Gerard Gaffney

Ian King