Leading Glasgow-based wholesaler JW Filshill has appointed two new people to its management team in response to the huge profit growth during the coronavirus lockdown period.

Elaine Feeney joins the Glasgow-based company as west and south Scotland regional development manager after 17 years with Sainsbury’s as a retail commercial support manager.

Les Harvison comes to Filshill to take on the newly-created role of area development manager for the firm’s expanding Click & Collect operation.

He joins the company from Booker Wholesale where he was a retail development manager in Ayrshire and previously worked for Bestway Wholesale.

Both will report directly to Craig Brown, Filshill’s chief sales and marketing officer.

Speaking about the new team members, Mr Brown said: “We’re very much in a phase of growth just now and have welcomed a large number of new customers to the KeyStore family during the lockdown months so bringing in new talent will help us continue on that growth trajectory.

“Elaine and Les bring a combined wealth of retail and wholesale experience to the business along with a ‘can do’ attitude and desire to get results. As an experience retail operator with an outstanding track record focused around customer service, Elaine is ideally placed to help us achieve ambitious goals to grow the business.

“Having built valuable experience in non-food and specifically with Argos during her time at Sainsbury’s where ordering and collecting process is fast, efficient and innovative, Elaine will use this knowledge to move the Filshill Click & Collect service to the next level, working with Les in the new role of area development manager.

“By creating the role of area development manager for our Click & Collect operation we are confident that even more of our customers will benefit from a value-added service that has exceeded our expectations and been a much-needed service for many in recent months.

“As we ease further out of lockdown, we want ensure that customers can rely on us whichever way they choose to trade with us.

“KeyStore provides a strong brand identity in a busy convenience marketplace and our multi-format offer – comprising KeyStore, KeyStore Express and the KeyStore More fascia – offers retailers more flexibility to run their stores the way they want to.

“Elaine and Les will have an important role to play as we work in partnership with independent retailers to stimulate growth and increase profitability in a competitive convenience marketplace.”

Commenting on her new role, Ms Feeney said: “I’ve been aware of Filshill’s reputation for customer service and its innovative use of technology for a long time. It’s an ambitious business and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of its future growth plans.”

Mr Harvison added: “For me, this is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking wholesaler that is going places and has its customers at the core of everything it does.

“My broad-ranging experience with different companies over the years will put me in good stead as I work towards developing Filshill’s Click & Collect operation.”

Currently supplying over 190 independent KeyStore outlets across Scotland and the north of England, Filshill is a member of Unitas Wholesale.