The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has announced that its long-serving Chief Executive, James Lowman, will leave the organisation early next year.
He joined the trade association in March 1997 and was appointed to the lead role in November 2006.
ACS noted that Lowman has led lobbying campaigns to bring about tangible differences to policy on product regulation, trading hours, employment rules and planning policy, appearing before several different parliamentary select committees, plus numerous bill committees, and speaking at party conference events and in various policy forums.
The group’s Chair, Ramesh Shingadia, said: “On behalf of the ACS Board, I would like to express our deep gratitude to James Lowman for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the ACS over the past nearly three decades. Since taking on the role of Chief Executive in 2006, James has been an extraordinary leader who has transformed the organisation, strengthened its voice in government and the media, and championed the interests of convenience retailers across the UK.
He added: “James’s leadership has left ACS in a position of real strength, with the structures, talent and momentum to continue building on his achievements, we are confident that his work has positioned the organisation for an even brighter future.”
Lowman commented: “It’s been a fantastic privilege to lead ACS through some exciting and challenging times for our sector. I have loved the work and engaging with such a wide range of people and businesses. This is the best sector anyone could hope to represent, made up of passionate people who are committed to their colleagues and customers and who make an enormous difference to the communities they serve – every day I’ve been inspired by the people around me and by what local shop operators do.
“During a typical week I might be speaking to retailers and colleagues in a store, giving evidence to a select committee, appearing in the media, chairing a conference or meeting a minister – it’s a brilliant and varied job that I will miss. I’ve come to the view that, having been at ACS for effectively my whole career, it’s now time for a change and to use my experience in some different places, learning new skills and seeing new perspectives while I do that. I’m very much looking forward to the next part of my career.”
Lowman will leave ACS in early 2026, with its board, led by Shingadia and vice chairs Colm Johnson (MD, Retail at Booker) and Phil Ponsonby (CEO, Midcounties Co-operative), commencing the process for recruiting a successor.
