AF Blakemore has been ranked fifth among the UK’s 50 largest private companies for women in leadership in the newly published FTSE Women Leaders Report 2026 – making it the highest‑ranked grocery and convenience retail business in the cohort ahead of International Women’s Day.
The government‑backed Review highlights strong progress across UK business, with women now holding 43% of FTSE 350 board roles and 37% of leadership roles within the private company cohort. AF Blakemore’s 47.8% female representation in leadership places it firmly among the UK’s top performers and recognises it as one of the organisations demonstrating the strongest progress over the past five years.
The ranking reflects AF Blakemore’s sustained investment in developing female talent and its clear ambition to reach 50% women in leadership by 2030. The business has strengthened its leadership pipeline through targeted development programmes, succession planning and inclusive workplace policies.
The recent promotion of Kelly Burrows to head of supply chain, one of the company’s strategically significant operational roles is a great example. Kelly joined AF Blakemore as a Graduate eight years ago and has built her career in what remains a traditionally male‑dominated field. Having delivered across the supply chain including supplier negotiations, network optimisation, and expansion of own‑fleet collections – Kelly is now responsible for supply chain, demand planning and Blakemore Retail Central Ordering.
Burrows, head of supply chain, said: “It’s incredibly meaningful to see AF Blakemore recognised in the UK’s Top 5. I’ve been fortunate to build my career here, and I’m proud to work in a business that invests in women and creates opportunities in areas like logistics and supply chain, where female representation has historically been low. This recognition reflects the progress we’ve made, and the potential we still have ahead.”
AF Blakemore’s commitment to advancing women in leadership is further supported by two recent appointments to strengthen the company’s Commercial leadership team. In December, Kerrie Viggars joined as Trading Director – Ambient, bringing extensive retail experience from Asda and Co-op, where she most recently served as Commercial Buying Manager. In January, Anna Hay was appointed Marketing and Customer Experience Director, having previously held a similar role at Poundland and Dealz, and earlier served as Advanced Analytics Director at Nielsen.
Carol Welch, CEO, added: “Ranking 5th in the UK’s Top 50 private companies, and leading the grocery and convenience retail sector, is a strong endorsement of the progress we’re making. Kelly’s promotion and the appointment of Kerrie and Anna are clear examples of the talent and capability within our business. We remain focused on creating an inclusive environment reflective of our customer base, where everyone can thrive. This includes strengthening our pipeline and enabling talented women to build successful careers.”
While the Review highlights strong national progress, it also identifies areas requiring renewed focus. Women currently hold only 15% of executive director roles in the FTSE 350 and just 8% of CEO positions, with appointment rates softening this year.
AF Blakemore continues to invest in programmes that support female progression, including ASPIRE, Management Excellence, mentoring and apprenticeship pathways. The business has also strengthened policies around menopause, maternity and shared parental leave, and works closely with its diversity networks to ensure women feel supported and able to progress.
AF Blakemore will mark International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March with activity celebrating female colleagues and highlighting the company’s ongoing work to build a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
