Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

SGF welcomes new team members, Public Affairs lead

SGF welcomes new team members, Public Affairs lead
Luke McGarty Photograph: Mike Wilkinson
Mike Wilkinson

Chief Executive, Pete Cheema OBE, has welcomed three new staff members to the Scottish Grocers’ Federation team and formally announced the promotion of Luke McGarty to the role of Head of Policy & Public Affairs.

Linsey Hunter 1 Linsey Hunter


Linsey Hunter will take on the role of Events & Marketing Co-ordinator for SGF, providing an essential service for members and helping to grow the reach of the organisation. Lena Robertson has joined the team as Receptionist and Admin Support, supporting the work of the entire SGF team.

Luke McGarty, who has worked for the organisation over the past five years, will take on the lead role in public affairs during a crucial time for SGF members and the retail sector. He will be replaced as Policy & Public Affair Officer by Jamie Mackie who has a background working with MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

Lena Robertson 1 rotated Lena Robertson

Pete Cheema said: “It is a challenging time for many retailers and shop workers, and more than ever we need strong representation at all levels of government and society. So, I can say wholeheartedly that Lena, Linsey and Jamie are very welcome additions to our team, and I am very much looking forward to working with them over the coming months and years.

“Luke has done an exceptional job for us, and I’m delighted to announce that he is taking on the role as head of our public affairs unit.

Jamie Mackie 1 Jamie Mackie

"No organisation is worth anything without its key people and we will continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the viability and success of the Scottish convenience trade continues.”

SGF’s annual conference will be held this October and will be an ideal opportunity for members to meet and get to know new staff and SGF team.

More for you

Northumbria Police arrest Michael Wright at Co-op South Shields, 2025

Persistent shoplifter jailed

iStock image

South Tyneside shoplifter jailed

A persistent shoplifter targeting stores in Northumbria is now behind bars after stealing from a South Tyneside store just weeks after being handed a suspended sentence for the same offences.

As informed by Northumbria Police on Thursday (13), Michael Wright, 35, visited the Co-op store on Mortimer Road in South Shields last Thursday (6) and took laundry products without paying.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Murray promoted as pladis CMO, Mete Buyurgan takes UK & Ireland helm

Mete Buyurgan (L) and David Murray

David Murray named pladis CMO

Snacking giant pladis has announced David Murray, currently leader of its UK and Ireland enterprise, will transition to the newly created position of global chief commercial officer.

After five years at the helm of pladis UK&I, Murray’s new role will see him take ownership of the company’s global platform and brand strategy along with its commercial transformation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Illegal cigarettes in Meir

Illegal cigarettes

iStock

Thousands of illegal cigarettes seized from Meir shop raids

More than £20,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vapes were seized from multiple premises in an one-day operation in Meir by Trading Standards team along with officers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police.

The operation is the latest across the city that resulted in 13 shops being closed in the last 12 months, and forms part of Operation Cece, which is a National Trading Standards initiative in Partnership with HMRC to tackle illegal tobacco.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Don Julio Tequila

Don Julio Tequila, owned by Diageo. The spirits giant sells billions of dollars worth of tequila and Canadian whisky in the US.

Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for Flipper's Boogie Palace

Diageo suggests tougher rules of origin requirements as alternative to Trump’s tariffs

Spirits giant Diageo has suggested the US government consider tougher rules of origin requirements in trade agreements as an alternative to tariffs, a letter to the US Trade Representative showed.

In the March 11 letter, Diageo, the world's top spirits maker caught in the crossfire of US president Donald Trump's effort to remake global trade, argued that new rules of origin could support his aims and benefit the industry.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asda store with Rollback pricing sign for 2024 sales strategy

Asda Express stores offset sales dip at the supermarket

Asda's profits climb despite sales decline, driven by George and Express

Asda on Friday reported a decline in its annual sales for the 2024 financial year, but the retailer has seen profits rising on margin gains.

The supermarket chain said its total revenue for the year to 31 December 2024 declined by 0.8 per cent to £21.7 billion, while like-for-like sales (excluding fuel) were lower by 3.4 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less