The Association of Convenience Stores has elected Midcounties Co-op CEO Phil Ponsonby to be its next chair.
Ponsonby, who currently acts as vice chair, will replace independent retailer Ramesh Shingadia who completes his two-year term in November.
Ponsonby took up the role of Midcounties Co-op CEO, one of the UK’s largest co-op societies, in August 2018, having originally joined to run its food retail business in 2015.
He is also a director for Federal Retail Trading Services, a buying group managed by The Co-op Group on behalf of the societies.
Prior to joining Midcounties Co-op, he was chief operating officer at Southern Co-op for seven years.
“It has been my privilege to have partnered with the ACS for over 15 years, serving on the board for nine of those years,” said Ponsonby. “I am immensely proud to have been elected by the board as its new chair.
“As the voice of some 50,000 shops up and down the length of the UK, representing and championing them at the heart of government, the role of the ACS has never been more important.
“We will continue to use our collective strength to face into the regulatory and economic headwinds faced by our members, but will also continue to learn from each other and the suppliers to our industry as we embrace new opportunities through product and technological developments. Ramesh has been a brilliant chair for the ACS and will be a hard act to follow.”
Shingadia said: “On behalf of myself and the entire ACS board, I am delighted to welcome Phil Ponsonby as the new chair of ACS from early November 2025. Phil has been a valued member of our board for over a decade, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to the convenience retail sector.”
Spar retailer Susan Connolly, meanwhile, has been appointed the position of vice chair, alongside Booker Retail MD Colm Johnson. Connolly said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as a vice chair, working alongside Colm and our new chair Phil. I look forward to working with them to further the ACS’ campaigning efforts and continue delivering vital support for our members.”
ACS CEO James Lowman said: “These appointments show the diversity of the organisation and the depth of talent represented on the ACS board and in our wider membership. These three industry leaders will make sure ACS becomes ever stronger and more relevant to the whole industry, I am excited to work with them in the coming months, and the next ACS chief executive will be fortunate to be able to draw on their considerable experience and skill.”
The ACS announced earlier this month that Lowman would be stepping down from his role next year after being in post for almost two decades.
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