The new president of the Scottish Wholesale Association, Jon Mack, has paid tribute to his predecessor Tom Slaven for his leadership over the past two years in the role, praising his efforts – and those of the wider SWA team and Council – in helping create a stronger and more collaborative organisation, bringing back the annual conference, and for launching a new identity for the association.
Jon, business unit director at Bidfood UK and responsible for nine sites in Scotland and the north of England, takes over from Tom – retail director of Glasgow-based United Wholesale Grocers – under whose presidency the SWA has expanded its membership of both wholesalers and suppliers.
Receiving the chain of office at a President’s Breakfast event at Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Renfrewshire, he said: “Tom brought experience to the role and real commitment. He’s been a strong advocate for wholesale – so thank you for your leadership. Tom is handing over an association with solid foundations and a strong reputation. It’s on us now to build on that.
“I take on the role at a good moment – the association has real momentum, though the sector itself is facing a lot of change. Our businesses are operating in a tough environment. Costs are high. Margins are under pressure. The regulatory landscape keeps getting more complicated.
“On top of that, technology, sustainability, skills, and changing customer expectations are going to keep reshaping this sector – and the association needs to be ahead of that, not catching up with it. That means helping members prepare for what’s coming, spotting the opportunities inside the change, and making sure wholesale has a seat at the table when decisions are being shaped.
“We’ve got a clear strategy and a robust platform to work from. My priority is turning that into something members feel – practical support, real chances to learn and develop, and strong representation where it counts.”
Jon’s career in foodservice and hospitality started at college where he did an HND in hotel, catering and institutional management. He then joined Booker Fitch as a sales representative, having previously worked at the De Vere hotels group, initially as a graduate then in numerous hotels south of the Border and also the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.
He progressed through a series of roles with Booker Fitch, from sales positions to call centre manager and account manager, to regional sales controller and general manager for Scotland. During this time, the company was acquired by Bidvest and was then known as 3663, before becoming Bidfood in 2016.
Jon, whose leadership approach centres on developing and empowering people, believes the wholesale sector’s success depends on its workforce and says this will be a key focus during his presidency. He said: “I plan to lead in a fairly straightforward way: listen to members, work closely with Colin, the team and Council, and back the direction we’ve already agreed while still pushing, where it’s needed, to go further.
“I’m proud to take on this role, and I look forward to working with all of you as we take the Scottish Wholesale Association into its next chapter.”
Handing of the chain of office to Jon, Tom Slaven commented: “This has not been the easiest period for business. We have had geopolitical uncertainty, political change closer to home, rising costs, and no shortage of new regulations and challenges landing on the sector.
“But through all of that, the SWA has continued to make sure that wholesale is seen, understood and listened to. There is, of course, much more still to be done. There will be more opportunities ahead, and no doubt more occasions when we will need to stand up for our sector and make our case strongly. I look forward to supporting Jon and the SWA in that work.”
SWA chief executive Colin Smith added: “With a leader of the calibre of Jon Mack at the helm for the next two years, I am confident that the association will continue to go from strength to strength and I look forward to working with him on behalf of our members.”
Alongside Jon, three new members also join the Scottish Wholesale Association Council: Nikki Castley, commercial manager at Cress Co Adamson Drinks; Jackie Thomson, sales director at Thomsons Foodservice; and Brian Breslin, general manager at Mark Murphy Dole.
This takes membership of the Council up to 12 people who collectively represent every facet of the wholesale channel from national to family-run SME wholesalers in retail and foodservice, located from the Borders to the Highlands.
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