Martin Williams, one of the most respected figures in the UK wholesale sector, has announced his retirement after a remarkable 50-year career in food and drink, including over four decades dedicated to wholesale.
Williams will step down as co-chair of The Wholesale Group at the end of July and will retire from his role as associate director at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) by the end of the year.
Williams will be stepping down from his current roles as co-chair of The Wholesale Group at the end of July, and as associate director, FWD, at the end of the year.
Over the span of 50 years, Williams held numerous roles including 16 years as managing director of buying group Landmark Wholesale.
He was chairman of Confex for seven years, before becoming co-chair of The Wholesale Group when it was launched in January this year.
He joined FWD in 2018 as associate director following his position as FWD chair for the previous three years.
Tributes have poured in from across the sector, reflecting the deep impact Williams has had on the wholesale industry.
Jess Douglas, joint managing director of The Wholesale Group, credited Williams as a pivotal figure in both Confex’s expansion and the successful launch of The Wholesale Group.
For her and her brother Tom, he had not only been a mentor and advisor, generously offering his time and insight, but had also become a cherished friend.
His departure, she said, was felt with a heavy heart, not just by the leadership, but by the entire organisation. The team would remain forever grateful for his guidance and friendship, and extended their warmest wishes to him and his family.
James Bielby, chief executive of the FWD, echoed those sentiments.
He described Williams as a tireless champion of the wholesale industry, noting that during his time as FWD chair and associate director, he had helped shape the organisation into a stronger, more influential body, tripling its membership and revenue in the process.
Bielby highlighted Williams’ remarkable work ethic, his generosity with advice, and his willingness to take on any task without complaint. His presence, he noted, would be profoundly missed.
Williams reflected, “I have worked in the food and drink sector for my entire career, and consider 50 years a personal achievement that I’m incredibly proud of. Of that half century, 42 years have been spent in wholesale, and what a wonderful world it is.
“But, as we all know, good things must come to an end and now, in this milestone year, it feels the right time to step back from my daily involvement in wholesale as I intend to embrace retirement with my patient family and three grandchildren.”
