Scottish Grocers' Federation | Promoting Responsible Community Retailing

National Executive Membership

SGF policy decisions are taken by the National Executive, a group of retaliers who are elected on to the board by their peers within membership; sitting within 2 categories; the Independent Retailer constituency and the Multiples/Co-operative Groups constituency.

President, Robert Sider, Chief Executive, Clydebank Co-op Society Ltd, Clydebank

Roberts retail career started as a Saturday boy with International Stores in his home town of Wymondham (Norfolk),and since then has had stints with Top Shop, WH Smith and Burmah Petroleum. He came to Scotland in 1986 with Gateway Foodmarkets to assist with the transition of Fine Fare Stores into their portfolio. In 1989 he joined The Scottish Co-operative as Chilled and Frozen Food Development Manager based in Morrison Street Glasgow and moved on to the Clydebank Co-operative Society in 1995. He took over as Chief Executive in April 2010. He is also secretary to the West Dunbartonshire Licensing Forum. He has a daughter Kathryn and his interest are cars, music, cinema and football.

Immediate Past President – Graeme Knowles, Owner G&G Knowles (Nisa), Aberdeen

Graeme has lived his life in the grocery retail trade, working in the family business which was established by his father in 1962. Graeme also takes time out to contribute to the trade. Graeme has sat on many symbol group committees, formerly with Mace and now within Nisa. He was elected to the SGF National Executive in 2004 He is married to Donna and has two daughters, Jennifer and Claire. In his free time Graeme relaxes by going to the gym. He enjoys all sports and has a passion for Formula One.

Bill Adye, Owner, Drummore Stores, Stranraer

Bill successfully runs Drummore Stores and is Chairman (as well as a member) of PGMA (Scotland) Ltd, the SGF buying group. Bill joined the SGF National Executive of the Federation in 1983, and was President between 1992 and 1994.

Colin Landsburgh, Owner, Landsburgh Bros. Ltd, Carnoustie

Past SGF President, Colin runs two busy SPAR stores and a gift shop in Carnoustie, having rejoined the family firm (established 1920) in 1992. Previously he studied politics at Edinburgh University, worked with SPAR wholesaler A F Blakemore, and joined SKY Television at their startup in the UK. His stores are a vital resource for the community, as they include the town’s only Post Offices, and provide Lottery, PayPoint and Food-To-Go. A member of the SGF Executive for many years, Colin is Vice-Chairman of the SPAR Scottish Guild, a Director of the SPAR National Guild (UK), and sits on the Licensing Forum for Angus. At home, Colin enjoys football and ice-hockey, but struggles to compete with his two sons Matt and Josh.

John Brodie, Chief Executive, Scottish Midland Co-operative Society, Edinburgh

John Brodie is a qualified Charter Accountant and has been Chief Executive of Scottish Midland Co-operative Society since 2005, having spent 17 years working for the Society. John’s appointment as Chief Executive at Scotmid was at a difficult time in its history. He along with the Senior Management Team, and with the backing of the Board, immediately undertook a fresh and radical look at the business resulting in the most intensive review ever undertaken on the business. This laid the foundations for Scotmid in 2009, its 150th anniversary year, to announce record results. Throughout his time as Chief Executive Officer John has promoted a theme of continuous improvement.

Jamie Buchanan, Company Stores Director, C.J. Lang and Son Ltd, Dundee

Jamie started working with C.J. Lang and Son Ltd in 1987. He worked in the Cash and Carry and Foodservices operations before taking charge of the Foodservices Division for ten years. He has been Company Stores Director for six years during which time the number of stores has doubled to 92. He joined the SGF National Executive in October 2009. Jamies’ hobbies include golf, squash and mountain biking. He is married to Caroline and has three children, Rebecca, Sam and Ben.

Pete Cheema, Owner, Khalsa Retail Ltd, Stirling

Pete and his wife Kay run Khalsa Retail Ltd in Stirling, and have a second store in Meigle. Elected on to the National Executive of the Federation in 2000, Pete was SGF President from 2006-2008.

Ken Ivatt, Regional Director, Booker

Ken joined the SGF National Executive in 2011, following Booker’s decision to bring all Scottish Booker Premier stores into membership of SGF.

John McNeill, the Co-operative Food’s Operational Director for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man

The Co-operative Group operates 380 food stores across Scotland, more than any other food retailer, serving urban, rural and island communities. John joined The Co-operative Group in 1992 as a graduate trainee and held a number of in-store posts in Scotland and Northern Ireland before promotion to senior regional roles in Northern Ireland and the north of England. He was appointed to his current post in 2008. John is also Chairman of Caravan Scotland.

Abdul Majid, Owner, Nisa Local and Post Office, Bellshill

Owner of Abdul Majid & Son Ltd, Abdul left school to join Fine Fare as trainee manager. He opened his own store in Bellshill in 1983 and still there – four extentions later! He is a Trustee of the Ucare Foundation, a charity that runs two hospitals and provides emergency relief in his native Pakistan. Abdul set up the Al Noor Foundation in respect of his late father, a Pakistan educational charity which opened its first school in March 2010. He is married to Parveen. They have three daughters Sonia, Nadia & Aisha and son Umar. For relaxation he enjoys playing golf and watching his son play rugby.

Ian McDonald, Sales Director, J. W Filshill Ltd (Keystore), Glasgow

After leaving University where he studied Biochemistry, Ian took a “summer job” with D&L Alexander, a wholesaler based in Edinburgh. The “summer job” has now lasted over 30 years in an evolving convenience market. Ian is Sales Director at J.W.Filshill who purchased D. & L. Alexander 13 years ago. During this time Ian and his team have developed the Keystore Symbol group which has more than 160 stores.

Carolyn Smillie, Owner, G&C Smillie (T/A SPAR), Tarbolton

Carolyn, along with her husband George, run their successful SPAR store and post office in Tarbolton, Ayrshire. Carolyn was elected to the SGF National Executive in 2004 and is heavily involved in post office matters, currently sitting on the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters committee, and of course the SGF Post Office Committee.

Dennis Williams, Owner, Broadway Convenience Store, Edinburgh

Elected to the SGF National Executive in 2008, Dennis, along with his wife Linda, run Broadway Convenience Store, a very successful Booker Premier store in Edinburgh. Dennis is well known within the convenience trade industry and is often found to be participating in articles in various trade press magazines.

Tom Wilson, Owner J&A Wilson & Sons (Nisa), Stirling

Tom was elected on to the SGF National Executive in 1977. He has held the position of President twice, firstly from 1980-1981, and again from 1986 to 1987. Tom runs his store in Stirling under the Nisa fascia and is the longest serving members of the National Executive.