Phil Ponsonby has officially started in his role as chair of ACS this month, following on from Ramesh Shingadia who has completed his two year term in the role.
Phil took up the role of CEO for one of the UK’s largest independent Co-op Societies, The Midcounties Co-operative, in August 2018, having originally joined to run its food retail business three years earlier. Prior to joining The Midcounties Co-op, Phil was at Southern Co-operative, where he was Chief Operating Officer for seven years. He previously acted 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 is supported by Colm Johnson (Booker) and Susan Connolly (SPAR retailer) as vice chairs on the ACS board, along with Maria Eaton (MFG) who continues in her role as audit committee chair.
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.”
In addition to the role changes taking effect on its board, ACS has also appointed a new director in Lorraine Hendle, MD of UK Brands for William Reed. Lorraine has worked across the William Reed business since 1998 and now leads the strategic development of a portfolio of multi-media brands across retail, manufacturing and hospitality which include market leading brands The Grocer, Food Manufacture , The Morning Advertiser and the National Convenience Show .
Hendle said: "I am honoured to be joining the board of the Association of Convenience Stores. 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."