The new president of the Scottish Wholesale Association has been announced. Jon Mack, Business Unit Director at Bidfood UK, takes over from Tom Slaven of United Wholesale Grocers.
Receiving the chain of office at a President’s breakfast event at Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Renfrewshire, Jon (pictured above right) said: ‘I take on the role at a good moment – the association has real momentum, though the sector itself is facing change. Our businesses are operating in a tough environment; costs are high, margins are under pressure, the regulatory landscape keeps getting more complicated. Tom’s been a strong advocate for wholesale and is handing over an association with solid foundations and a strong reputation.
‘We’ve got a clear strategy and a robust platform to work from, and my priority now is turning that into practical support and strong representation where it counts.’
Handing the chain of office to Jon, Tom 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.
‘However, 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.’