The new president of the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA), Tom Slaven, has paid tribute to predecessor Julie Dunn for her leadership over seven years, including during the pandemic. It was also announced that Jon Mack, business unit director at Bidfood Scotland, is the new vice-president.
Speaking at an event in Edinburgh yesterday, where he received the president’s chain of office, Mr Slaven said: “I’m deeply honoured to serve as the new president of the SWA. I’m fully committed to being an active and engaged president who will work diligently to represent, support and champion our members and the Scottish wholesale sector.”
He also highlighted the launch earlier this week of the new Scottish Wholesale Local Food & Drink Growth Fund, which seeks to further support wholesalers and food producers to increase the volume of local Scottish produce being sold through wholesale channels.
The SWA has secured £195,000 from the Scottish Government to deliver the initiative and will provide match funding of up to £10,000 per business for wholesalers whose applications to the new fund are successful.
Mr Slaven also revealed that the annual SWA conference will return next year, taking place at a new venue – Aberdeen’s Ardoe House Hotel & Spa – on 5 June. It will provide a platform for members, suppliers and other stakeholders to share ideas, discuss industry challenges and network.
Chief executive Colin Smith discussed the current high levels of confidence among Scottish wholesalers, ahead of a new market overview in September. “Businesses are facing significant cost pressures from high employee, materials and energy costs.
“Additionally, an evolving regulatory environment threatens to stymie the sector’s delicate growth, and to navigate these challenges there is a need for strategic investment and growth, a careful review of regulations, and a commitment to a just and sustainable transition. There is confidence among members that as economies and the sector show signs of recovery, investments will be made that both support business growth and development,” he concluded.
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