John Brodie, chief executive of Scotmid Co-operative, has taken up the chair of the Scottish Retail Consortium, in an exciting start to the year which also saw him awarded an MBE.
The SRC is the industry representative body for Scottish retailers, with more than 90 members and more than 80 associate members. It publishes retail data and analysis, and works to shape and influence debates.
Mr Brodie has taken over from Andrew Murphy, who served in the role since 2014. “This is a crucial time for the industry and the challenges it faces have rarely been greater,” he said. “
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.
“I look forward to taking on the leadership of the SRC board, and driving that process of advocating for change.”
Mr Brodie took up the role as he celebrated picking up an MBE for services to business and the voluntary sector.
“Personally, I am pleased for my family who have supported me throughout my working life in the many challenges that have come my way,” he said.
“This award recognises that Scotmid Co-operative, after nearly 160 years, continues to play a major role in the business life of Scotland and in the communities we serve in England and Northern Ireland.”
Another figure from the co-op movement who was named in the New Year Honours was Mark Hendrick, Labour/Co-op MP for Preston, who was given a knighthood for his parliamentary and political service.
Sir Mark said: “I dedicate it to the people of Preston who have given me the opportunity to spend so many years in Parliament to work on their behalf.”
His previous roles include secretary of the Salford Co-operative Party from 1984 to 1994, taking a seat on Salford Council in 1987, and serving as MEP for Central Lancashire from 1994-1999.
Stephanie Karpetas, founder and director of Sustainability Connections CIC and director of Orchard Community Energy, was given an OBE for services to the community in East Kent.
Sustainability Connections, based in Upper Corniche near Folkestone, works to help local people live more sustainably in terms of food, home and environment.
The 5MW Orchard Community Energy, near Iwade, Kent, is the first large-scale solar farm in Kent to be owned by the local community.
Ms Karpetas has also worked training isolated unemployed women in East Kent to be energy champions, and has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of sustainability including environment Mmanager at British Airways and working with SMEs, charities, social enterprises, business support organisations and local government.
Another honour for the renewable energy sector saw Daniel McCallum, co-founder and managing director of Awel Aman Tawe, awarded an MBE for services to community energy in Wales.
Established in Cwmllynfell near Swansea in 1998, Awel Aman Tawe develops and advises on community wind, solar, biomass and hydro schemes and has implemented energy efficiency measures across thousands of homes and community centres in south Wales. Projects include a windfarm and Egni, a solar energy co-op which works on community buildings in Wales.
