Punch’s commercial director John Healy to retire next year

John Healy, who worked as the pubco’s group purchasing director between 1987 and 2011 before assuming his current role, will retire on April 6.

He will retain overall responsibility for the commercial team until the end of December when a new structure will be introduced as well as adopt a supporting role to ensure a ‘smooth transition’ of the new system. 

The commercial director will also finalise the pubco’s new distribution contract while developing and agreeing the future transition plans for this area, the company said in a statement.

Healy started his career in the licensed trade and worked for businesses including the Greenalls Group and Nomura before joining Pubmaster prior to Punch acquiring the business.

As a member of the Punch Taverns operating board, he was partly responsible for developing the core estate to achieve sustainable profit growth for both Punch and its partners.

“John is a dedicated member of the executive board and has made a hugely valuable contribution to the business over many years,” Punch chief executive Duncan Garrood said. 

“All of us at Punch thank him for his contribution and wish him all the very best for his future retirement plans.”