Martin Race has been appointed managing director of Bestway Wholesale, responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation.

His predecessor Younus Sheikh, one of the original founders of the business in 1976, has moved to a non-executive role and will continue to offer support and guidance to the management team in an overseeing role. Naser Khan, previously finance director, assumes the role of chief operating officer, while Dawood Pervez replaces Race as trading director.

From September, Rizwan Pervez will take up the new role of customer liaison director, with Paul Rowland joining the company from Asda to head up operations.

Martin Race commented: “On behalf of everyone at Bestway and Batleys, I would like to thank Younus for his great leadership, vision and guidance over the last 40 years, and I am honoured to receive his vote of confidence and support in taking over from him as managing director.”

Younus Sheikh added: “It is important that as we continue to take this remarkable business forward we ensure we have the right management team and structure in place. With an impressive track record, unrivalled man-management skills and the ability to foster lasting and collaborative relationships with suppliers, Martin, with the support of Naser in his new role of COO, will ensure the business continues to go from strength to strength. However, wholesale is in my blood and I will continue to guide and advise the senior management team.”

Bestway is the second-largest wholesale operator in the UK with 64 depots and turnover of more than £2.3bn.