One Stop has revealed the identity of the man that will spearhead the recruitment of franchisees in Scotland. Jim Carroll joins from Musgrave, where he was a regional sales manager for Londis, working across Scotland.

He has spent more than 30 years in the independent retail sector, working with CJ Lang, Andrew James Partnership, SCS Scotland, Margiotta and United Wholesale.

He becomes a franchise business development manager for Scotland which will see him initially be responsible for bringing new retailers on board. His remit will subsequently expand to helping franchisees grow their businesses, via a regular monthly development visit.

The Grocer reported exclusively last November that the Tesco-owned convenience store chain was poised to take its new franchise format north of the border for the first time.

John Miller, head of operations at One Stop Franchise, said at the time that the company had just recruited a business development manager for Scotland but he could not name him because the candidate was working out his notice elsewhere.

Miller said this week that Carroll’s knowledge of Scotland’s independent retail scene, as well as his strong operational background, would be invaluable as the company introduced its brand to new communities across the central belt.

The company said its franchise team was dealing with more than 100 enquiries from independent retailers, and that the move into Scotland would encompass both franchise and company-owned shops.