Helen Haddow’s tenure as CEO of Houlden Group will end on a high with the buying group announcing a 16% increase in sales for the 2022/23 financial year.
Revenue is 52% higher than before the pandemic, meaning a surplus three times higher than 2019 will be returned to members.
Those members also learned that Ms Haddow will be stepping down as CEO next year after ten years with the organisation.
The search has already begun for a successor for Ms Haddow, but Denise McLaughlin, who has been with Houlden for 15 years, has been promoted to chief operating officer.
“I have enjoyed every moment of working together with our members and suppliers and the talented Houlden team to help ensure everyone’s future commercial success. There are so many exciting opportunities and new initiatives ahead,” Ms Haddow says.