The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has elected two well-known industry names as chairman and vice-charman.

Jerry Marwood, managing director of Spar UK, is now chairman, and award-winning independent retailer Jonathan James, who operates five shops in Cambridgeshire, is vice-chairman.

The ACS campaigns for 33,000 independent retailers and local shops.

Marwood said: “I am delighted to have been elected to this position. I relish the opportunity to work with chief executive James Lowman and the board to build on the excellent work done by Mike Greene and other previous chairmen of the association.

“We have a great opportunity to drive forward the ACS as a forceful, balanced and credible voice for local shops in government and politics at all levels. It is our job to ensure that those national, local and European decision-makers are convinced about the value that local shops bring to the economy, to employment and to the communities they serve.

James added: “I will use my position to convince fellow independents of the importance of joining the ACS.”

ACS chief executive James Lowman said he is looking forward to working with the both Marwood and James: “I would also like to thank Mike Greene for his outstanding contribution to the organisation during his time as chairman,” he added.

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