Dan Brown pic

Nisa retailer Dan Brown has been inaugurated as the new president of the Scottish Grocers Federation.

Dan, who runs Pinkie Farm Store in Musselburgh, is the SGF’s youngest ever president and takes over from the outgoing president, managing director of United Wholesale Scotland Asim Sarwar.

During his presidency, Dan is expected to focus on supporting retailers and maximising the opportunities provided by the new customer appetite for shopping locally.

On his inauguration, Dan said: “2020 has already presented us with circumstances that nobody could have predicted, and as an industry retailers have fought through these challenging times with heroic strength and resilience. It is now more crucial than ever to maintain this united strength and with the growing influence and support that the SGF can provide, we hope to do everything we can to equip and support our fellow retailers through the next few years of challenge and uncertainty.”

Dan will formally receive the chain of office at the next SGF annual conference, currently scheduled for March 2021. Retail Director at JW Fillshill Craig Brown has also become the new SGF vice-president.

SGF CEO Dr Pete Cheema OBE said: ‘We are in unprecedented times. No one could have predicted that Dan, who will be the youngest ever SGF president in our 102-year history, would take the reins of the Presidency as we struggle with the impact of a global pandemic. There are massive challenges ahead but there are also real opportunities, the likes of which we haven’t seen before. Dan has the energy, the drive, and the enthusiasm to help us shape the industry - and SGF - over the next 2 years to ensure we maximise these opportunities. The torch has been passed to a new generation - I look forward to working with hm tremendously’.