Midcounties Co-op boss takes over as ACS chair

Midcounties Co-op chief executive Phil Ponsonby has officially begun his tenure as chair of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

Posonby, who previously served as vice chair, has replaced leading independent retailer Ramesh Shingadia who completed his two-year term this month.

Posonby has led Midcounties Co-op since 2018. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer at Southern Co-operative for seven years.

He is also a director for Federal Retail Trading Services, a buying group for co-operative retail societies in the UK.

Award-winning Spar retailer Susan Connolly will take on the position of vice chair, alongside Booker retail managing director Colm Johnson.

Booker’s Colm Johnson and recently elected independent Spar retailer Susan Connolly will support Posonby as vice chairs, along with MFG’s Maria Eaton who continues in her role as audit committee chair.

“It has been my privilege to have partnered with the ACS for over 15 years serving on the Board for nine of those years. I am immensely proud to have been elected by the Board as its new chair,” said Ponsonby.

”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.

“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.”

In addition to the role changes taking effect on its board, the ACS has appointed Lorraine Hendle, managing director of UK brands at William Reed, as a new director.

Hendle, who has worked across William Reed since 1998, oversees a portfolio of multi-media brands including Convenience Store, The Grocer, Forecourt Trader, Food Manufacture and the National Convenience Show.

“I am honoured to be joining the board of the Association of Convenience Stores,” said Hendle. “The convenience sector plays a vital role in communities across the UK, and I’m excited to contribute to the important work the ACS does in representing and supporting this dynamic industry. I look forward to working alongside fellow board members to help ensure the sector continues to thrive.”

Commenting on the board shake-up, ACS chief executive James Lowman, said: “These appointments show the diversity of organisation and the depth talent represented on the ACS board and in our wider membership. 

”The organisation is fortunate to be able to build on the superb legacy of Ramesh Shingadia’s tenure as chair, during which his extraordinary commitment has taken ACS’ impact and credibility to new levels. I am excited to work with the whole board over the coming months and the next ACS chief executive will be able to draw on an exceptional pool of experience and skill.”

Lowman is to leave the ACS in early 2026 after nearly three decades with the trade association.