The Londis National Retailer Council (NRC) has been restructured with new members and a revised forum.

The new regional representatives in the 10-member NRC are: Terry Caton representing the North East; Chris Woodruff representing Anglia; Ben Simons for the South West/Wales South; and Jatinda Sahota for the South East.

In addition, there is a new member representing multiple accounts, with Clive Leeson of Brobot the first representative on the NRC.

Bracknell retailer Arjan Mehr remains as chairman and the other existing members are: Bryan Craig representing Scotland; Steve Vaughan representing the North West/Wales North; Alpesh Patel for London; and Ramesh Shingadia for South Central.

Each of the council members is elected by their peers across the regions.

Londis retail director John Pattison said: “The NRC has been a highly effective communications channel but it needs to evolve with the business. The changes we have made reflect our aspirations to really work far more closely with our retail partners to build on that sense of family and belonging that’s unique to the Londis business. We are keen for the council to work with us to deliver strategy and shape the future.”

The NRC will now meet five times a year instead of the previous four. The timing of these meetings will now coincide with key events in the group’s trading calendar:

• January - to reflect on Christmas trade and take the learnings forward to next Christmas.

• March - to discuss pressing issues before the Conference and Trade Shows in April.

• July - for Christmas and seasonal planning

• September - to discuss the Autumn Clusters – where the retailers meet in their region to hear business updates, look at key trading opportunities and meet suppliers.

• December - to review the year and look at the next year’s plans.

In addition to the NRC meetings, there are four Retailer Forums: IT, Supply Chain, Commercial and a new Forecourt Forum.

“The introduction of a Forecourt Forum is to reflect the different types of offer and different consumer needs you get in a forecourt store – ranging from petrol and a quick pick-up of items to those shops that fulfil the role of the local neighbourhood store,” said Pattison.

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