UK. SSP Group has named Preyash Thakrar as Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, effective this month, as the travel food & beverage specialist sharpens its focus on its next phase of global growth.
Thakrar – who has previously held senior strategy roles at KPMG, Royal Mail, Asda and Walmart – succeeds Mark Rainbow, who is retiring after more than 20 years with SSP, most recently as Group Director of Strategy and Business Services.
In his new role, Thakrar will work alongside the SSP Group Executive Committee to develop and deliver SSP’s strategic priorities.
He will also lead the company’s global brand relationships and shared service operations.
Thakrar’s remit will include directing investment towards the highest-returning channels and markets, strengthening capabilities through areas including technology, and identifying further operational efficiencies.
SSP said the focus will be on building structural productivity while balancing local agility with the advantages of its global scale.
Thakrar brings more than 20 years’ experience across strategy, transformation and growth in international consumer-facing businesses.
Most recently, he served as Chief Transformation Officer at Boots, where he led the company’s evolving strategy and transformation plans alongside its property and data functions.
At Walmart, SSP noted he helped shape the retailer’s international portfolio strategy and led transformation, M&A and real-estate activities in Canada.
Thakrar later served as Chief Strategy Officer at Asda, where his responsibilities included leading work on the proposed merger with Sainsbury’s and resetting the retailer’s strategy ahead of its sale.
He also served as Asda Chief Customer Officer, overseeing marketing and customer strategy.
Thakrar began his career in investment banking and spent ten years advising on retail-sector mergers and acquisitions, including two years in Japan, where Walmart was a major client.
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.
“On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank Mark [Rainbow] 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.
“As we look ahead, this is an exciting time for SSP, with good momentum underway, and I’m looking forward to Preyash helping us bring our purpose – to be the best part of the journey – to life everywhere we operate.”
Thakrar commented, “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.
“The group’s core advantage of specialist food & 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 landscape that is structurally growing, yet constantly evolving.
“I’m excited to be doing so alongside such a talented team, in a business where culture really matters.” 
