The Country Range Group has announced that its current Head of Trading Dean Pendlebury will be promoted to the role of Buying Director, as of the 1st January 2026.
Dean joined the Country Range Group in 2013 and has been instrumental in building the Group’s buying power up to £360 million, its purchasing strategy, tenders, trading compliance and the development of the widely acclaimed three-tiered own brand portfolio.
With the Group recently hitting its £1 billion turnover target with two years to spare, Dean’s wealth of experience, contacts and ability to engage with suppliers, members and stakeholders is seen as key, as the Group continues to shape its next five-year strategic roadmap.
The move also signifies the Group’s intention to further strengthen its central office buying and wider team in 2026.
Dean’s career in buying spans over 17 years, starting out at Cranswick where he worked in Junior Buyer and Buyer roles. In his 12 years at the Country Range Group, he has carried out Category Buyer, Senior Buyer and Head of Trading roles, giving him a deep understanding of products and solutions, commodities, suppliers, market trends and most importantly the CRG membership.
Heading up a team of five, Dean’s responsibilities in the newly created role will include executing and implementing the Country Range Group’s buying plan in line with the updated 5-year strategy and increasing the sales value of the three-tiered own brand portfolio to £250 million by 2030.
Commenting on his appointment, CRG Chief Executive Martin Ward said:
“Dean has been pivotal in our recent success and in helping us take our collective purchasing power past the £360 million mark so we’re delighted to announce him as our new Buying Director. He’s innovative, hardworking, diligent and thoroughly deserves this opportunity as we look to retain talent and further strengthen our head office team.”
Dean Pendlebury said:
“It’s a great honour to be made the Country Range Group’s new Buying Director and I truly believe it couldn’t be at a more exciting time for the Group. We’ve really starting to see the benefits and value of our collective power and it’s a real pleasure to work with such a great set of people, not just in our central office but across our membership.”
About the Country Range Group
With over 30 years of heritage servicing the UK & Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 17 member businesses and 19 wholesaler – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Brook Street Foodservice, Country Valley Foods, Crowndale Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, Europ Foods, First Choice Foodservice, Harlech Foodservice, Henderson Foodservice, King Brothers Foodservice, Kitwave (including Creed Foodservice, Total Foodservice and WestCountry), McClures, Savona Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice, Valley Foods, Waterdene Foodservice.
In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also offers a three-tiered own brand portfolio under Country Range, Signature by Country Range and Catering Essentials.
Widely recognised by caterers as trusted and reliable brands that deliver consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour, the 700 plus products are all developed exclusively for professional caterers and cover grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food.
The Group publishes its trade magazine Stir it up 9 times a year, which features the latest food, drink and industry news, Country Range brand promotions and in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire all foodservice caterers.
The Country Range Group has also entered into a three-year charitable partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The unique partnership will see the buying group and its members work alongside the charity to raise compassion, understanding and crucially, vital funds, to help make food allergy history.
