Business unit director at Bidfood UK, Jon Mack, has taken on the role of Scottish Wholesale Association president from United Wholesale Grocers’ Tom Slaven, who leaves after two years in the role.
Receiving the chain of office at a President’s Breakfast event Mack said: “I take on the role at a good moment – the association has real momentum, though the sector itself is facing a lot of change. Our businesses are operating in a tough environment. Costs are high. Margins are under pressure. The regulatory landscape keeps getting more complicated.
“On top of that, technology, sustainability, skills, and changing customer expectations are going to keep reshaping this sector – and the association needs to be ahead of that, not catching up with it. That means helping members prepare for what’s coming, spotting the opportunities inside the change, and making sure wholesale has a seat at the table when decisions are being shaped.
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Slaven commented: “This has not been the easiest period for business. We have had geopolitical uncertainty, political change closer to home, rising costs, and no shortage of new regulations and challenges landing on the sector.
“But through all of that, the SWA has continued to make sure that wholesale is seen, understood and listened to. There is, of course, much more still to be done. There will be more opportunities ahead, and no doubt more occasions when we will need to stand up for our sector and make our case strongly. I look forward to supporting Jon and the SWA in that work.”
SWA chief executive Colin Smith added: “With a leader of the calibre of Jon Mack at the helm for the next two years, I am confident that the association will continue to go from strength to strength and I look forward to working with him on behalf of our members.”
