Association of Convenience Stores appoints Louise Hoste as chair
The Association of Convenience Stores has appointed SPAR managing director Louise Hoste as its new chair.
Due to take up her position in November, Hoste will succeed Central England Co-operative chief executive Debbie Robinson who has served in the role since November 2019 and will remain on the ACS board.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Debbie has been a fantastic chair over the last two years, demonstrating incredible commitment to both ACS and the wider convenience sector during some of the most challenging times for retailers in living memory. Under Debbie’s inspirational leadership ACS significantly enhanced our support for both retailers and suppliers, and we look to the future in a stronger position than ever.”
Meanwhile, award winning independent retailer Ramesh Shingadia will continue in the position of vice chair.
Lowman said Hoste had been a key contributor to ACS board activity after joining in 2019, and was a unanimous choice for the chair position. He added: “I am delighted to be working with Louise as ACS chair. Louise and Ramesh will lead ACS through the next phase of pandemic recovery and beyond.”
Hoste joined SPAR in September 2019 after a career that includes stints working with Walmart in the UK, Canada and Chile in commercial, customer and general management roles and Brakes Foodservice as director of category and pricing. More recently, she was director of the customer offer at the Co-op where she relaunched the brand across food ranges and worked on the ‘Closer To You’ strategy that supports the local and community agenda.
