Nationwide’s new Chief Executive, Darren Broad
What have you been focusing on since taking over as Chief Executive in April?
My priority was to visit each of the 19 shareholder businesses to develop my understanding of the Group in terms of capability and culture but to also understand the challenges that we’re facing.
This in-depth review of the Group’s operations will enable us to develop a strategy that supports our customers’ current and future needs. Through this we will continue our great track record of growth within the rapidly changing sectors where we operate.
What are your initial observations?
The thing that has most impressed me has been the Group’s outstanding record of growth – we have delivered 15 years of consecutive growth in both sales and returns for our shareholders. With this track record, it’s no surprise that the London Stock Exchange acknowledged us as one of the 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain by outperforming our industry peers. It’s businesses like us that are key to driving growth in the UK economy.
We have a great business model: privately-owned, entrepreneur-run businesses with a clear focus on the customer; partnerships with leading global brand suppliers and the support and capability to provide both national and international supply chain solutions for our customers.
Our shareholders have their own unique identities, and we celebrate this, but one thing that they all have in common is that they are totally focused on delivering great service to our customers.
Chairman of the Nationwide Board, Nigel Campbell
What does the future hold for Nationwide?
Even though Nationwide has been in operation for over 30 years, we are just at the start of our journey. Our shareholders and team at Chesterfield spend every day trying to meet the needs of our customers. Traditionally we have focused on janitorial supply to the FM sector but it’s clear that our customers want more from us than just janitorial products as they seek to simplify their supply chain. Our strategy is evolving and it’s likely that our product and sector focus will develop. Keeping businesses going in Britain and Ireland with their everyday essentials supplied is our goal.
