Bestway Wholesale managing director Martin Race is to retire from the business on 30 November, to be replaced by Dawood Pervez.

Race has worked for both Bestway and Batleys for over 30 years, having joined the group as manager of Batleys Cleveland in 1988.

In January 2014 he took over the role of trading director, before being promoted to managing director of Bestway Wholesale in July 2016.

Dawood Pervez will take the role of managing director from 1 December 2018. He will work alongside Race in the interim period before assuming his new role.

Pervez, who joined Bestway as a qualified solicitor in 2002, has played a key role in acquisitions since joining and established its digital presence and Export business. Most recently he has led the Trading department.

Race said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last two years as md and take great heart from the improving performance of the business. I would like to thank the Exec, the larger leadership team and all colleagues for their support and hard work, but I feel that it is now time for a younger man to take the company forward and for me to spend more time with my family.”

Pervez added: “I am delighted to be succeeding Martin as the managing director of Bestway Wholesale, and I would like to thank him personally for all of his support over the years.

“The business (originally built by Sir Anwar Pervez, Younus Sheikh and Zameer Choudrey) is now in a unique position to benefit from the turbulent market conditions and it is my full intention for it to do so.”