Former FWD chairman and ex-Landmark Wholesale managing director Martin Williams is returning to the FWD management team in a part-time capacity as associate director, tasked with helping supplier companies to get the most of FWD membership and achieve their goals in the wholesale channel.
As chairman from 2013-16, he played an important role in expanding FWD’s offer to supplier members, including building the collaborative Supplier Council and establishing the popular How to Win in Wholesale seminars. This new part-time role will see Williams working closely with supplier members to ensure FWD is supporting their objectives and priorities in the wholesale channel, and engaging potential members to help sell the benefits of closer co-operation with wholesalers through the trade association.
Williams brings with him more than 30 years’ experience working with supply chain partners. “I thoroughly enjoyed my three years as FWD chairman and I’m delighted to be part of the team that is bringing wholesale together to improve understanding and efficiency in our sector,” he said. “I will be offering to visit our supplier members to understand what they want to achieve from investment in the wholesale channel, and to design membership packages which help them reach those targets.”
James Bielby, FWD chief executive, added: “We want suppliers and service providers to get full value from the events, research, advice and access that membership offers, and having Martin on board gives us the ability to offer them an even better service.”
Williams also runs his own consultancy company, Martin Williams Consultancy, helping suppliers, wholesalers and industry colleagues.
