Nisa retailer Dan Brown has been appointed as the new President of the Scottish Grocers Federation, the youngest person ever to hold this role within the company.

The driving force behind the award-winning Pinkie Farm Store in Musselburgh, Mr Brown takes over from outgoing President Asim Sarwar, managing director of United Wholesale Scotland.

The announcement was made during a virtual meeting of the SGF National Executive, where he plans on focusing supporting retailers and maximising the opportunities provided by the new customer appetite for shopping locally.

Speaking about his new role, Mr Brown 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.”

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 two years to ensure we maximise these opportunities. The torch has been passed to a new generation – I look forward to working with him tremendously.”

Mr Brown will formally receive the chain of office at the next SGF annual conference, currently scheduled for March 2021.

Craig Brown, retail director at JW Fillshill has also stepped up to become the new SGF Vice-President.