Booths appoints Dee as CEO

High end supermarket chain Booths has promoted Chris Dee to chief executive officer and Mike Thomson as estates director.

The appointments come as Booths prepares for the largest and most ambitious expansion in the group’s history, opening five new stores in 12 months which began with Barrowford in December, opening Hale Barns, Greater Manchester in April 2015, followed by stores in Burscough, St Anne’s and Poulton Le Fylde later this year.

Dee takes on the pivotal role after 20 years at Booths, joining the business in 1995 as the wines and spirits buyer, becoming trading director at Booths in 2009 and chief operating officer in 2012.

Booths say Dee has been instrumental in forging strong links with suppliers and was behind the Fair Milk scheme which pledges to pay dairy farmers the highest farm gate price in the market.

Thomson joined Booths in 2004, after a variety of roles in construction and civil engineering with regional and national contractors. During his tenure at Booths he has managed the construction of eleven new stores, the relocation of the distribution and central office facilities in addition to the ongoing refurbishment of the existing stores. Thomson’s role in developing a range of architecturally distinctive and innovative stores will be key to expanding the Booths Brand.

Simon Booth, supply chain director and Graham Booth, property director will leave the operational board this year, but remain on the family board. Edwin Booth remains chairman of both the operational and family boards at Booths. Chairman Edwin Booth said: “I have tremendous confidence in Chris Dee to continue to grow and develop the business. He has the vision, and crucially, the ability to share that vision and inspire others to follow him. Mike Thomson brings considerable skill and experience in construction and engineering at a critical time in Booths development. These two appointments put us into an excellent position to widen the appeal of the Booths Brand.”