ACS Welcomes Four New Senior Appointments to its Board of Directors

The Association of Convenience Stores is delighted to announce four new appointments to its board of directors from leading retail businesses in the convenience sector.

The new appointments to the ACS board are:
•    Victoria Lockie, Head of Wholesale – Acquisitions and Strategic Projects at Morrisons
•    Kate McCrae, Retail Operations Director at The Co-operative Group
•    Jerome Saint-Marc, Managing Director at SPAR UK
•    Dan Dixon, Managing Director, at William Reed

ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “We are delighted to welcome four new industry leaders to our Board, who bring a wealth of experience, fantastic insight and commitment to championing the convenience sector. These appointments will enhance and strengthen our ability to deliver the best representation, networking opportunities, and industry leading advice for ACS members. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who are moving on from their board positions for their continued, longstanding support of ACS and the work we do for local shops.”

ACS chairman and chief executive (integration) at Our Co-op, Phil Ponsonby said: "The appointment of four talented new directors further strengthens the ACS board, bringing a diverse range of skills and experience that will support our ongoing activity in representing convenience retailers. I'm looking forward to working with the new members of the board alongside existing directors to champion the role of ACS in the convenience sector."

Victoria Lockie has over three decades of convenience retail experience in the independent sector through her current role at Morrisons and previous roles with Unitas and Nisa Retail. Victoria is known for developing and growing independent businesses across both the UK & Ireland, as well as being the voice of the retailer at the decision-making level of the business. This in turn has led to expanding existing retailer estates and facilitating business growth.

Victoria Lockie (Morrisons) said: "I am delighted to be joining the ACS Board and look forward to bringing my experience to the opportunities and challenges facing our convenience retailers. It’s a privilege to be part of this Board having supported the ACS for many years, contributing to decisions that will help shape the future of the sector."

Kate McCrae has more than 25 years of experience leading large-scale, customer-facing organisations, having risen from a part time student role all the way to Retail Operations Director. Kate is responsible for 2,300 stores and 42,000 colleagues nationally, along with Co-op’s Quick Commerce business, Operational Support Centre, Format and Optimisation.

Kate McCrae (Co-op) said: “It's a challenging time for food retailers, but local shops remain the backbone of their communities – providing access to food and other essentials, as well as creating job opportunities locally. ACS plays a vital role in championing convenience retailers, ensuring our voices are heard and that our concerns are acted upon, so I’m delighted to join its Board at this pivotal moment.”

Jerome Saint-Marc has 30 years of supply chain and retail experience, having held senior roles at Tesco, Morrisons, Wilko and, most recently, Co-op. Jerome was appointed the new Managing Director of SPAR UK in August 2026.
Jerome Saint-Marc (SPAR UK) said: “ I look forward to joining the ACS board, supporting the team and championing the convenience sector, working together through the ACS and its members to ensure the long-term sustainability of our sector."

Dan Dixon has spent more than 25 years in senior leadership roles across B2B and B2C media, driving growth through industry-leading brands, events, content and communities. At William Reed, he works across the food, drink, grocery, convenience, retail and forecourt sectors, connecting businesses and communities through insight, media, exhibitions, events and digital platforms. Prior to joining William Reed, Dan held leadership roles with RELX and Amazon, working across multiple market sectors and international markets.

Dan Dixon, Managing Director, at William Reed, said: "It is a privilege to join the ACS Board and contribute to an organisation that plays such an important role in supporting and representing the convenience sector. Convenience retail sits at the heart of local communities and continues to evolve at pace. I look forward to working alongside fellow board members to share insight, strengthen industry collaboration and help champion the long-term success of the sector."

A full list of ACS board directors is available on the ACS website.

Chris Wed, 14/10/2026 - 09:20

ACS | The Association of Convenience Stores

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