Peter Fletcher will be responsible for leading the buying group's strategic vision and growth, as well as helping to drive operational excellence and an enhanced member experience.

Independent merchant buying group h&b has appointed a new CEO, Peter Fletcher.

With an illustrious career in the building industry, Fletcher joins the group as part of its ongoing commitment to increasing value for members and becoming an even more focused, profitable growth-driven, and sustainable business.

Fletcher describes himself as “born and bred” in the building industry, joining a Plumbing & Heating merchant in Nottingham at 16. He has spent the majority of his career mainly on the manufacturing sector but with the a positive understanding and empathy of all merchants, distribution and the supply industry.

Recently he was Divisional Sales Director with Genuit Group Residential Division, better known by customers and the industry as Polypipe.

Fletcher will be responsible for leading the h&b group's strategic vision and growth, as well as helping to drive operational excellence and an enhanced member experience.

“I want members to feel the value of h&b membership and for the group to see the value of our members’ success,” he said. “Buying groups are all about buying better and improving profitability and long-term relationships with partnering manufacturers and suppliers, and I am all for that.

"I always like to think of a buying group as a being like a cricket team, they field together but bat individually. That sense of team ethos, with friendly competition, is vital to the success of h&b. My role will also involve me working with and leading a great team at h&b and to helping them all develop in their roles.”