The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has announced the appointment of James Lowman as chief executive. He will take up his new appointment on November 1st, taking over from retiring chief executive David Rae.

Lowman, 31, who will leave his current role as director of public affairs, joined the ACS in 1997. He has been at the forefront of the organisation’s lobbying of government on behalf of convenience stores.

He said: “I am passionate about the sector and what ACS has achieved so far. My overriding intention is to tackle the difficult issues that the sector faces head on and make ACS even more visible as the champion of the convenience retailer. I am delighted to be offered the role as chief executive and determined that ACS will become indispensable to our sector under my direction.”

The ACS board has also announced that Mike Greene will become the new chairman, taking over from Mike Sherwood. Greene will also continue in his role as CEO of consumer research organisation HIM.