Meet the team

Alan

After a number of years working for Nurdin & Peacock and Booker I recognised an opportunity to offer brands representation within the Wholesale world and Avansa was born. I love the job and my team but my biggest love is watching Derby County and where you’ll find me most weekends!

Jenny

I began my working life in London working in the banking sector on foreign exchange. A career change took me to Nurdin & Peacock’s head office and then onto Avansa. I’m really creative with certificates for amateur gardening, patchwork & quilting and advanced sugarcraft and I love pottery.

Stuart

I joined Avansa in 2008 having previously worked for Booker Cash & Carry. Outside of work I enjoy exploring the countryside as well as taking a keen interest in motorsport and football. Certified car enthusiast and dog lover!

Tim

Following on from 10 years helping develop the retail arm of the Avansa business, I am now looking at “New” business and the development of new clients and products across all the 4 business units of Avansa. In my spare time I wonder the fields looking for hidden treasure as I am an avid “Detectorist”.

Carl

Wholesale is in my blood having worked for Booker and Nurdin & Peacock since leaving college before joining Avansa in 2010. Outside of work you’ll find me socialising with family and friends and trying to keep fit by going to the gym, getting on my bike at weekends and playing the odd game of golf.

Jonny

Prior to life at Avansa I spent many years working in the catering and hospitality sector. Over 5 years at Avansa I’ve now worked my way from Regional Sales to National Retail Controller. Outside of work I enjoy following the only football team from Manchester (City), entering cycling races and live music.

Lottie

I have more than eight years’ experience working in sales and marketing and had the privilege of being a client of Avansa previously.

When I am not working (or parenting – I have two young sons) you’ll find me reading and listening to music – though some would say my taste in music is questionable. I am probably most known for my sense of style, again, not to everyone’s taste. I adore fashion and having fun with it.

Amanda

I joined Avansa after many years in the automotive sector and still have a passion for cars and now obviously food! Mummy (though they don’t call me that anymore) to two lovely girls who keep me busy. Enjoy concerts especially Robbie and spending time with friends and family.

Sue

My love for wholesale began with Nurdin & Peacock where I had my first job as a grocery buyer before joining Avansa when the business was just starting up. Outside of work I hope to start enjoying some sailing adventures soon once I’ve mastered my knot skills! I love baking and make cakes for customers and Des and I are taking a plastering course this year.

Rikin

After many many years working within wholesale accounts I decided I was up for a new challenge and joined Avansa bringing my experience and contacts to the team. My hobbies include reading books, watching movies, cricket and most importantly spending time with my family.

Anna

Before having my three boys I was previously a primary school teacher; I now spend most of my time trying to keep up with them! In my spare time, I enjoy walking in the beautiful Surrey countryside with my dog, Libby.

Samantha

I started with Avansa working on client reports but have since also taken on demonstration admin and finance work. I’m a mum to two amazing girls which keeps me pretty busy. In my spare time I love to read, crochet and enjoy taking our dog Tilly for walks in the beautiful Surrey countryside.

Sally

I enjoy walking my two dogs (especially when I find a new route) and spending time with family and friends, which generally involves a glass or two of something refreshing. I have two lovely children that keep me busy with taxi and B&B, plus meals, service!

Caroline

After graduating university and working as a receptionist I joined Avansa in 2023 working as part of the tactical side of the business. In my spare time I love spending time with friends and family, traveling, painting and participating in the odd tree top assault.

Angela

After years of working in admin, I took a ‘break’ and began my new role as a mum to my tribe of now 3. Once the youngest were at school, I began my most recent role as a Teaching Assistant at our local Infant School.

I enjoy seeing live music, meeting with friends and baking although sadly, no matter how hard I try, I can’t make my baking look pretty!

Emma

Prior to Avansa my background was in-store merchandising and point of sale. These days as well as working I’m a busy mummy to two young children and enjoy Barre classes, baking and spending time by the coast.

Claire M

Before joining the Avansa team, I had my own online retail business for 8 years and prior to that – worked as a team leader and project manager within the education, commercial and charity sectors. In my spare time I’m a keen pet portrait artist and enjoy spending time with my cocker spaniel, partner, family and friends.

Richard

With a background in hospitality and surviving five years as a driving instructor, I also enjoy running, hiking, cycling and attending motorsport events. My other big love is Manchester City, supporting them through the good and the bad times!

Ellie

Previously worked for Bookers quickly working my way up the ladder. I found a new challenge within Avansa which would also included my Cash & Carry background.

I enjoy travelling, socialising and reading in my spare time.

Damien

Having previously worked for Ladbrokes I had a lot of experience which helped me easily transition into the retail convenience sector and I love the variety every day brings. In my spare time I enjoy writing and reading plenty of fiction, and watching and playing baseball.

Safwan

I’ve been in the wholesale industry since I was 16 initially starting out at Bestway as a buyer before moving over to work as a Field Sales Representative for Ferrero. Outside of work I enjoy watching football and playing cricket and listening to podcasts.

Michelle

I joined Avansa in 2022 having previously worked as a Teaching Assistant in an Infant School for 14 years, but I decided I needed a new challenge. Outside of work I enjoy supporting my local football team, travelling around to support them. I also enjoy Horse Racing and Music Festivals. Most of all I enjoy spending time with my two boys, husband, family and friends.

Stella-Maria

With a strong career in wholesale, training, and coaching, I joined Avansa in 2020 bringing my knowledge and contacts with me. I’m a team player and only ever a phone call away. I’ve also studied counselling and speak fluent Spanish. I’m never too busy for an invite and you’ll often find me socialising with family and friends. I spend a lot of time with my Mum. At the weekends I love nothing more than spending time watching both my Grandchildren playing football, they both play for different teams so move from one to the other when possible.

Michelle

Before Joining Avansa I was a Teaching Assistant at an Infant School which I loved as it fitted in with spending time with my 2 boys. Now they are both teenagers I was up for a new challenge! Outside of work I enjoy Horse Racing and Music Festivals with my husband and friends.

Chris

After years in the sports coaching industry, I have transferred my people skills into being part of the Avansa team. Outside of work, you’ll either find me watching Walsall FC or going for walks with my partner Ruth.

Kate

I have a degree in Criminology and have worked in a variety of leadership roles for much of my career. I love spending time with family, trying out new cuisines, and exploring UK cities and coast as much as possible. When I’m not doing that, I will happily fill my time watching pretty much any sport I can and getting out and about with my dogs.

Michael

A lot of my work experience has been in sales and administration.  Companies I have worked for include, BskyB, The Times newspaper and food wholesale.  I hope those experiences will help me in this role.

Outside of work I love history, music, sport and of course the worlds number one football club, Arsenal.

David

Before joining Avansa, I spent 10 years working in various primary schools as a teacher, higher level teaching assistant and teaching assistant. Prior to this, I spent a few years working as a radio journalist. I reported on Everton and Liverpool home games for a season; I was even lucky enough to report on the FA Cup Final at Wembley in 2012. In addition, I’ve worked at ASDA and Woolworths Big W. Outside of work, my main hobbies are Scouts and forest school. I’m also a Liverpool fan.

Lynn

I have enjoyed over 30 years in the FMCG market based predominantly in London and the South East where I worked my way up from field sales to regional manager being responsible for a team of 8 field reps.  I then took a completely different direction and ran my own horse riding holiday business then took on a few pubs, so I have had great exposure to a variety of different markets. In my spare time I enjoy long walks with my dog and still love horse riding .

Gemma

Previously I worked at Parfetts Cash and Carry, as a Head Office receptionist then with the Digital and Marketing team. This gave me a lot of experience which helped me easily transition into the retail convenience sector, also with having built great relationships with many of the retailers!

Out of work time I like to enjoy the outdoors with my family, especially escaping to Anglesey!

Gary

Previously at Royal Unibrew as New Business Development Manager, part of this involved a few events with the best and biggest being the Notting Hill Carnival. Prior to this served in the Royal Engineers as a Sapper, my role was a bomb disposal engineer and a qualified snipper for long range engagement.
I’m married with two children, who aren’t really children now and enjoy travelling. Follow the GP Motorcycling as use to race until a major accident in 2004.