Scott Malcolm is to become the managing director of C J Lang & Son, Scotland’s largest independent retailing and distribution company, at the start of November.

He will take the reins from current chief executive David Walker, who is to retire. In a change to the structure, there are no plans to appoint a new chief executive and the company will be run by Malcolm in the newly created position of managing director.

“With our shareholders supporting significant investment in all divisions of the business and a strong management team, I am confident of the company’s continued growth and success in the future,” said the soon-to-be MD.

Malcolm, a chartered accountant who has been on the board of directors for more than three years, joined the company in 1987 as chief accountant and has played a significant part in the company’s development and expansion.

Walker has been with CJ Lang for 32 years, during which the family-run business has grown considerably. In 1976 it was a small regional wholesaler supplying 102 stores. It now employs more than 2,200 people across its three operating divisions, is the wholesaler for 400 Spar convenience stores across Scotland and operates three Martex Cash & Carry sites and a foodservice and catering division.

Walker has overseen the growth of the estate by 120% in the past eight years to its current total of 91 stores and has also been accountable for double-digit fresh foods growth.

Meanwhile, Brian Findlay has retired as distribution director to take up a temporary position as project director for the construction of the company’s new £5m warehouse extension, which will boast an energy-efficient 28,000 sq ft temperature-controlled facility. On completion of the project, which is expected in January, Findlay will retire. 

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