FOR 52 year old Dick Reeves, his move to head the Dunnes grocery division represents a return to the company where he cut his teeth in the trade. Before joining Quinnsworth as a food buyer in 1983, Mr Reeves spent 14 years with Dunnes as a buyer.

What it took for Frank Dunne and Margaret Heffernan to entice Dick Reeves from his job as managing director of Quinnsworth is likely to remain secret. But industry sources have indicated Mr Reeves would not have made his move without getting very specific assurances from the Dunnes board.

A financial package well into six figures, the usual perks and a seat on the Dunnes board are probably only part of the package. It is likely the arrangement also includes a provision that will give him independence of operation within the food division, without the need to clear every major decision with Mr Dunne or Mrs Heffernan.

Some in the trade have suggested Mr Reeves may also be in line for an equity shareholding in Dunnes. But such a revolutionary move by the family owned company would probably be linked to performance, if equity exists at all in Mr Reeves' package.

It is understood Mr Reeves intends to build a team of senior executives which will be charged with building the Dunnes market share and turnover and not at the expense of margins.

There is speculation that other Quinnsworth executives may also follow Mr Reeves to the Dunnes headquarters in Stephen Street. Dunnes is also understood to have hired some store managers and buyers from Quinnsworth in the past year.