Scotmid CEO Karen Scott appointed chair of Scottish Retail Consortium
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has appointed Scotmid Coop chief executive Karen Scott as its new chair, effective 1 August 2026.
Scott succeeds Debbie Harding, who had served as SRC chair since 2024.
Scotmid operates around 250 retail outlets across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, trading under brands including Scotmid Food, Semichem and Lakes & Dales Co-operative.
Subscribe to TRBScott has 38 years of experience in the retail industry. Before being appointed Scotmid chief executive in 2024, she was chief operating officer at the business, and prior to that was head of Semichem.
As chair of the Scottish Retail Consortium, she will work alongside the SRC’s 14-person board and director David Lonsdale to champion the retail industry and support its prospects for growth.
Lonsdale said: I’m thrilled Karen has agreed to take on the role of SRC chair. She is an outstanding industry leader and will bring those skills to support the work of the SRC in advocating on behalf of its members and the customers they serve.
“I would like to pay huge thanks to Debbie Harding for the very significant contribution she has made to the Board over the past five years and latterly as chair.
“She has been a brilliant servant of the industry through remarkably active times for the SRC, overseeing and guiding our efforts through the post-pandemic period, costs crunch, and political changes.”
Scott said: “I am looking forward to supporting and building on the excellent work that Debbie oversaw.
“The SRC is at the forefront of bringing retail’s story to policymakers, encouraging a more coherent approach to help the industry address its challenges. I look forward to helping ensure the sector continues to have a strong voice.”
