Former Forecourt Trader of the Year Jonathan James has been appointed chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores. He will chair the organisation from November 2011 to November 2013. ***See the Video Interview

An independent retailer based in Cambridgeshire and operating both forecourts and standalone convenience stores, Jonathan James is a widely respected figure in the fuel retailing and convenience industry and has been vice chairman of ACS since 2007.

Neil Turton, chief executive of Nisa-Todays, will step down as chairman after completing his two-year tenure in the post, and will become vice chairman. Tim Hurrell, chief executive – Food, for the Co-operative, remains deputy vice chairman.

Jonathan James said: “I am thrilled to take up the role of ACS chairman. Having been closely involved with ACS, I have seen the outstanding work that the organisation does for the industry. We need a powerful, professional and responsible voice within government, and ACS provides that. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with our dynamic board and a high-performing executive team to make ACS even more successful in the future.”

Neil Turton said: “It has been an honour to chair ACS for the past two years. We have become an even more effective lobby group over that period, and I am proud of the progress we have made. I am also delighted to be able to continue to support Jonathan and ACS from the post of vice chairman. Throughout my time in the chair, I have received 100% commitment and support from the whole board, and I know that Jonathan can count on the same as he leads us forward.”

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The ACS team are delighted to be working with Jonathan as chairman. He has been an unwavering supporter of our work for a number of years, and is unrivalled among retailers as an advocate for the sector in Government and the media.”