Newport-headquartered Retail Merchandising Services has appointed a new chief operating officer.

Paul Crook has taken up the newly-created position with the company, which provides retail support services to some of the biggest retail brands in the UK and Ireland.

Paul will be responsible for the operations throughout the entire company and brings with him more than 25 years of leadership experience in the service sector, having previously held senior executive roles with Mainstay, Mitie, WS Atkins and Dalkia.

His executive expertise spans strategic and operational management, customer service, sales development, marketing and compliance.

Daniel O’Toole, managing director of RMS, said “I am thrilled to welcome Paul to the RMS family.

"Paul will focus his experience and expertise on ensuring we have an effective and efficient operation, so that our partners continue to recognise RMS as market leaders.”

Paul said: “I am excited and honoured to take on this role and look forward to partnering with Daniel and our talented senior leadership team to build on the RMS history, make the organisation operationally stronger and to spearhead its growth in the next phase of its development.”