The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has appointed Midcounties Co-op chief executive Phil Ponsonby as its next chair.
He will succeed Sussex-based retailer Ramesh Shingadia, who steps down in November after a two-year tenure.
Award-winning Spar retailer Susan Connolly will take on the position of vice chair, alongside Booker retail managing director Colm Johnson.
Ponsonby has led Midcounties Co-op since 2018. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer at Southern Co-operative for seven years.
He has served on the ACS board for nine years, currently acting as vice chair (people and culture) for the trade body.
Moreover, Ponsonby is a director at the Federal Retail Trading Services, a buying group for co-operative retail societies in the UK.
“I’m immensely proud to have been elected by the board as its new chair. As the voice of some 50,000 shops up and down the length of the UK, representing and championing them at the heart of Government, the role of the ACS has never been more important,” said Ponsonby.
“We will continue to use our collective strength to face into the regulatory and economic headwinds faced by our members but will also continue to learn from each other and the suppliers to our industry as we embrace new opportunities through product and technological developments.
“Ramesh has been a brilliant Chair for the ACS and will be a hard act to follow.”
Earlier this month, the ACS announced that its chief executive James Lowman is to leave the organisation after almost three decades.
Ponsonby continued: “Our immediate priority will be to appoint a successor to the chief executive, James Lowman, after he announced earlier this month that he will be stepping down next year and I am sure the board will take its time to ensure the right candidate is selected to steer the ACS into the future and for the continued benefit of all our members.”
Lowman said: “These three industry leaders will make sure ACS becomes ever stronger and more relevant to the whole industry, I am excited to work with them in the coming months and the next ACS chief executive will be fortunate to be able to draw on their considerable experience and skill.”
Ramesh said: “Phil has been a valued member of our board for over a decade, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to the convenience retail sector.”
Susan said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as a Vice Chair, working alongside Colm and our new Chair Phil. I look forward to working with them to further the ACS’ campaigning efforts and continue delivering vital support for our members.”
Johnson said: “Congratulations to Phil on becoming the new ACS Chair, following on from Ramesh who has had a fantastic tenure in his role. I’d also like to congratulate Susan on her appointment as Vice Chair, who I look forward to working with alongside Phil and the rest of the ACS board to support the great work that ACS does for the thousands of retailers that we are privileged to represent, and the suppliers that are part of our industry leading networking packages.”
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