- New era for ACS
- ACS announces its next chair
- Leading retailer Susan Connolly to become vice chair
The Association of Convenience Stores today (Sept 23) announced Phil Ponsonby as its next Chair, following on from Ramesh Shingadia who completes his two year term in November.
Award winning SPAR retailer Susan Connolly will take on the position of Vice Chair, alongside Booker Retail MD Colm Johnson.
Phil took up the role of CEO for one of the UK’s largest independent Co-operative Societies, The Midcounties Co-operative, in August 2018 having originally joined to run its food retail business in 2015.
Prior to joining The Midcounties Co-op, Phil was at the Southern Co-operative, where he was Chief Operating Officer for seven years.
He currently acts as vice chair (People and Culture) for ACS, and is a Director for Federal Retail Trading Services Ltd which binds the relationship between the UK’s co-operatives involved in food retail.
Phil Ponsonby said: “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. 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.
“Ramesh has been a brilliant Chair for the ACS and will be a hard act to follow.
"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 of our members.”
Vice Chair Colm 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.”
Incoming Vice Chair Susan Connolly 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.”
ACS Chair Ramesh Shingadia said, “On behalf of myself and the entire ACS Board, I am delighted to welcome Phil Ponsonby as the new Chair of ACS from early November 2025. 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.
“As CEO of Midcounties Co-operative, Phil has led one of the UK’s most respected co-operative societies through significant challenges and delivered growth and diversification that reflect the strength of his leadership.
"These achievements and his long-standing contribution to ACS make him ideally placed to guide the organisation into its next chapter. Phil’s chairmanship will also be instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition following James Lowman’s departure as chief executive early next year. With the support of the Board, he will play a key role in securing a strong successor to build on James’s outstanding work and continue ACS’s mission to champion and support convenience retailers.”
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.
"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.”