The Association of Convenience Stores CEO James Lowman is stepping down from his role next year after being in post for almost two decades.
Lowman initially joined ACS in March 1997 as public affairs manager ahead of his appointment as CEO in November 2006.
During this time at the trade association, he led lobbying campaigns and represented the industry on a wide range of issues, as well as explaining the impact of policy on the convenience store sector.
Lowman has discussed such policies and issues, including product regulation, trading hours, employment rules and planning policy, before parliamentary select committees, bill committees, party conference events and various policy forums.
He has also been the sector’s representative on the Department for Business & Trade’s Retail Sector Council and has sat on the boards of Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board as well as countless industry groups.
Representing the convenience sector
Within the convenience retail industry, Lowman has chaired and spoken at conferences and events in the UK, Australia, the Middle East, the United States and in Europe. Under his leadership, ACS has attracted major blue chip retail companies into membership, has grown its network of engaged independent retailers, and has extended its supplier packages to include over 100 of the leading manufacturers and service providers trading with the convenience sector.
“It’s been a fantastic privilege to lead ACS through some exciting and challenging times for our sector,” said Lowman. “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.
“ACS has a highly engaged, experienced and talented board and team. I have absolutely no doubt that ACS will go on to even greater success and I’m rooting for the organisation and all of its members. I’m very grateful to everyone who has shown such faith in me, helped me to succeed and given me so much support and genuine friendship. It is a wrench to leave this behind, but the right decision for me now.”
ACS 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.
“His vision and drive have delivered industry-leading initiatives, from pioneering research and assured advice partnerships, to building a world-class events programme and expanding our membership to include some of the biggest names in retail. James guided our sector with clarity and determination through the immense challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring our members were supported every step of the way.
“James leaves behind not only a remarkable legacy of achievement, but also a solid foundation for ACS’s future growth and success. His influence will be felt for many years to come, and he departs with the respect and admiration of colleagues, members, and industry partners alike. 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 will leave ACS in early 2026, and the ACS board, led by Ramesh Shingadia and vice chairs Booker Retail MD Colm Johnson and Midcounties Co-op CEO Phil Ponsonby, are now commencing the process for recruiting a successor.
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