SSP Group has hired former Boots chief transformation officer Preyash Thakrar as its new chief strategy and corporate development officer. The appointment of the Upper Crust owner’s latest senior executive comes as the food service company looks to refine its strategy and handle a complex post-pandemic travel market. Thakrar will take over from Mark Rainbow, who is retiring after more than two decades with the group.
Thakrar brings more than 20 years of experience in international consumer organisations to the role. Most recently at Boots, he led the retailer’s evolving strategy and transformation plans, as well as overseeing the property and data functions. His background includes senior strategy leadership roles at KPMG, Royal Mail, Asda and Walmart across the UK, US, Canada and Asia.
At Walmart, he helped shape the group’s international portfolio strategy and led transformation, M&A and real estate in Canada. Before joining Boots, he was chief strategy officer at Asda. In that role, he led on the proposed merger with Sainsbury’s and resetting strategy ahead of its sale. He also held the role of chief customer officer, with responsibility for marketing and customer strategy.
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He began his career in investment banking, spending 10 years advising on mergers and acquisitions in the retail sector, including two years based in Japan.
Driving growth in travel
Thakrar will build and help deliver the company’s strategic priorities as well as lead its global brand relationships and shared service operations. In a statement, the executive noted that SSP is uniquely positioned as the world’s leading food travel experts.
“SSP is uniquely positioned as the world’s leading food travel experts, and I’m delighted to be joining at such an exciting point in the group’s growth journey,” Thakrar said. “The group’s core advantage of specialist food and beverage expertise combined with global scale and local excellence is particularly compelling. I’m looking forward to getting to know the breadth of clients, partners, customers and stakeholders we work with to drive value, and to helping shape the group’s strategy as we adapt to a travel setting that is structurally growing, yet constantly evolving.”
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The travel industry is currently handling a period of structural change. Travel demand has rebounded significantly since the height of the pandemic, but airports and transport hubs face new operational challenges. SSP operates thousands of locations across 30 countries, meaning it must balance local customer needs with global standards. Thakrar’s appointment signals the company’s intent to maintain this balance as it executes its growth plans.
SSP Group CEO Patrick Coveney said: “We are thrilled to welcome Preyash to SSP. His breadth of strategic and transformation experience across some of the world’s leading consumer and retail businesses, combined with his track record of driving value in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, will be a huge asset as we shape the next phase of SSP’s global growth strategy with a clear vision.”
Coveney added: “On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank Mark for his valued contribution to SSP over many years, particularly in recent years, where he has been integral in helping refine our strategic focus and progress against our ‘Focus 26’ plan.”
