Scotmid Chief Executive John Brodie is to retire after 20 years at the helm.
Brodie has been with Scotmid for more than 30 years – nearly 20 of those as chief executive. Brodie, a chartered accountant, worked in an accountancy practice before joining the Society in 1993 as chief financial officer. He was appointed acting chief executive in 2004 and chief executive in February 2005.
He will continue in the role until August next year when a new chief executive will be in position. Scotmid says the board has already started the process of finding a successor and is hopeful of making an announcement in the near future.
Jim Watson, President of Scotmid, said: “On behalf of myself, the board of directors, staff, and members I would like to thank John for the way he has guided the Society through some of the most difficult times that businesses have ever faced from the credit crunch, Brexit, Covid through to the continuing cost-of-living crisis.
“When he retires next August, he will hand over a strong and successful Society that delivers our core purpose of serving our communities and improving people’s everyday lives.”
Brodie added: “It’s certainly not goodbye just yet as there is still a great deal of work to be done between now and next August so it’s very much business as usual.
“However, making my announcement early will help ensure a smooth transition enabling the Society to continue as normal. I can say, however, that the past 30 years have been full of a huge number of positives and a number of challenges, and I am immensely proud of how my colleagues have every time risen to those challenges.”
The news came as the co-operative posted a £400,000 rise in trading profits to £1.5m for the 26 weeks to the end of July. Scotmid said its improved results were achieved despite costs continuing to increase, high inflation, and the cost-of-living crisis hampering household income and discretionary spend.
Scotmid, which is based throughout Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland, currently operates 187 convenience stores.
