Dr. Gordon Campbell, former managing director of SPAR International, has been honoured at the World Retail Congress (WRC) in Dubai with the prestigious ‘Outstanding Leadership Award’.
The award is presided over by the WRC Grand Jury who select an individual that they believe best demonstrates by their leadership that they have delivered business success, new ideas, executional excellence as well as passion for the brand and how it serves their target customers.
Previous winners include Paul Marchant, CEO, Primark; Angela Ahrendts, former CEO of Burberry; and Charlie Mayfield, chairman of John Lewis Partnership.
Speaking at the WRC ceremony in Dubai, Dr Campbell said he was proud and honoured to receive the award.
“I accept it on behalf of all our independent retail partners who operate the SPAR brand in 42 countries around the world. This award is recognition of their success. I would also like to thank all my colleagues at SPAR International over the last 22 years, without their support this award would not have been possible.”
The ‘Outstanding Leadership Award’ was presented to Dr Campbell by Tobias Wasmuht the current managing director of SPAR International.
Addressing the audience of more than 800 leaders in global retail Mr Wasmuht said: “Dr Gordon Campbell has dedicated his working life to the development and growth of independent food retail internationally. Through his leadership, dedication and passion he has been able to grow and develop the SPAR brand into a truly global retailer. I would like to personally congratulate my friend, colleague and mentor on this extraordinary achievement.”
Dr. Campbell continues to contribute to SPAR’s worldwide success as an advisor to the Board to SPAR International.
The brand last week reported retail sales of €33 billion for 2015, a 3.5 per cent increase on 2014.
Growth in 2015, the strongest in five years, was characterised by the growing pace of recovery in Europe, in addition to the continuing expansion of the SPAR brand in emerging markets.
Growth for the brand was particularly strong in Africa and SPAR continued to grow its presence by entering into four new countries on four continents during the year including store openings in Indonesia, Cameroon, Oman and Azerbaijan.