IBC members have been told that Stuart Stockley left the buying group at the beginning of the month.

Supplier members of the IBC buying group received the news yesterday (24 February) in an email titled "Business Update - Leadership Team Change" and sent by Vick Patel, CEO of the IBC. 

In his message, seen by BMN, Patel states that Stockley departed the organisation on 1 February, adding "I appreciate his contribution to IBC over the last 12 months and wish him well in his future endeavours."

Stockley's appointment was announced in April last year, after he spoke at the IBC Exhibition on 29 February 2024, saying: “I’m thrilled to have joined IBC Buying Group and I’m looking forward to working with the team as we build the Group for the future.

"What really attracted me to IBC is that the Group shares many of my own values. It’s really important for me when we work with our Members and Supplier Partners that we have trust, honesty and integrity. And that we ensure we do everything that we say we’re going to."

In his email Patel also informs the membership that he is stepping into the role of Managing Director for the forseeable future, saying that he looks forward "to re-engaging with our members, suppliers, and team, and leading IBC into its next phase of growth". Patel adds: "I want to take this opportunity to express my enthusiasm for leading this incredible organisation and working alongside such a talented team."

He also promises to share "our strategic direction, focusing on driving growth with our supplier partners, enhancing operational excellence, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration," in the coming weeks.

Patel goes on to declare himself "eager to work closely with you all to achieve new milestones," estimating that the group's "strength lies in teamwork, agility, and a shared vision". He then concludes his message by thanking members for their support, and professing to be "excited about what we will accomplish together."