Scottish Retail Consortium names new chairman

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has today announced that John Brodie, chief executive of Scotmid (Scottish Midland Co-operative Society), is to become SRC chairman with effect from 1 January 2018.

Mr Brodie, who trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant working eight years in practice before he joined Scotmid in 1993, will succeed Andrew Murphy who has served as SRC’s Chairman since January 2014.

As chief executive of Scotmid, the largest independent co-operative in Scotland, Mr Brodie oversees around 350 retail outlets employing more than 4,000 people in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.

The main trading businesses include food, Semichem, funeral and property.

The SRC said Mr Brodie will work with Director David Lonsdale and board members to champion the retail industry and enhance its prospects for growth.

Mr Brodie said: “Scotland’s retail industry makes an enormous economic and social contribution to our country. However, this is a crucial time for the industry and the challenges it faces have rarely been greater. Technological change and customer behaviour are evolving at pace. The demands from Government appear to be ever-increasing, providing fresh challenges at a time when technology is incentivising more flexible and automated approaches.

“That is why it is important the SRC continues the work Andrew oversaw, to encourage policy makers to pursue a more coherent approach to the retail economy which will help retailers to adapt and evolve to meet the challenges ahead. I look forward to taking on the leadership of the SRC Board, and driving that process of advocating for change.”

SRC Director David Lonsdale said: “I’m thrilled John has agreed to take on the role of SRC Chairman. John is an industry leader with a proven track record, and I’m sure he’ll bring those skills to support the work of the SRC in advocating on behalf of all retailers and the customers they serve.

“I would like to thank Andrew Murphy for the very significant contribution he has made as chairman over the past three years. It’s been a remarkably active time for the SRC, and his championing of the importance of productivity and the need for a Scottish Retail Strategy have been recognised by Government. We wish him all the best for the future and know he will continue to play a big role in the retail industry.”