Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman is to leave the organisation in early 2026, after nearly three decades in its service.
Lowman spent almost 20 years at the helm of of the retail trade association, having been appointed chief executive in November 2006, nine years after he joined.
He has led lobbying campaigns to bring about tangible differences to policy on product regulation, trading hours, employment rules and planning policy, appearing before several different parliamentary select committees plus numerous bill committees, and speaking at party conference events and in various policy forums.
The ACS board, led by Shingadia and vice chairs Colm Johnson (managing director, retail, at Booker) and Phil Ponsonby (chief executive of Midcounties Co-operative), has started the process of looking for a successor.
Lowman has represented the industry across a wide range of print and broadcast media, explaining the impact of policy on the convenience store sector. He has also been the sector’s representative on the Department for Business & Trade’s Retail Sector Council and has at various times sat on the boards of Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board as well as countless industry groups.
Under Lowman’s leadership, ACS has attracted major blue chip retail companies into membership, has grown its network of engaged independent retailers, and has extended its supplier packages to include over 100 of the leading manufacturers and service providers trading with the convenience sector.
ACS chair Ramesh Shingadia says: “On behalf of the ACS Board, I would like to express our deep gratitude to James Lowman for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the ACS over the past nearly three decades. Since taking on the role of chief executive in 2006, James has been an extraordinary leader who has transformed the organisation, strengthened its voice in government and the media, and championed the interests of convenience retailers across the UK.
“James leaves behind not only a remarkable legacy of achievement, but also a solid foundation for ACS’s future growth and success. His influence will be felt for many years to come, and he departs with the respect and admiration of colleagues, members, and industry partners alike.
Lowman adds: “It’s been a fantastic privilege to lead ACS through some exciting and challenging times for our sector. I have loved the work and engaging with such a wide range of people and businesses. This is the best sector anyone could hope to represent, made up of passionate people who are committed to their colleagues and customers and who make an enormous difference to the communities they serve – every day I’ve been inspired by the people around me and by what local shop operators do.
”I’ve come to the view that having been at ACS for effectively my whole career, it’s now time for a change and use my experience in some different places, learning new skills and seeing new perspectives while I do that. I’m very much looking forward to the next part of my career.”
