Local Shop Report 2024 Launch

Stefan is Head of Retail Engagement at Newtrade, having re-joined the business in February 2024. He has worked in news and convenience for more than 16 years, helping connect suppliers, brands and convenience retailers together via digital and print content, events and marketing, and PR & communications. Before re-joining Newtrade he spent more than five years working for Hanover Communications, helping suppliers including Mondelez International, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I and Allwyn to reach the best retailers in the channel.

In his career he has helped build teams and people to grow their careers and further the impact of the great innovation that both suppliers and retailers deliver to keep the channel looking forward.

His role involves creating research and analysing data to help all elements the supply chain understand how to better deliver value, drive shopper excitement and increase basket spend.

Priyesh Patel is a part-owner of Londis N16, a family-run shop in Stoke Newington that has been passed down through three generations. The shop has succeeded over the past years in becoming a go-to shop for people in the area due to the homemade Gujarati food made by Priyesh's mother Anju. This has led to press opportunities, supper clubs, private dinners and catering. Priyesh is responsible for the shop's viral Instagram which has gained nearly 10k followers over the last 5 years, spreading the message of the shop further than the general radius of a corner shop, by connecting with its customers online. 

Prior to joining Appleby Westward, Jo headed up the field HR team for RoadChef Motorways Limited where she worked for 8 years, and before that in a Retail HR role with Boots the Chemist.

Jo has been the HR Director for Appleby Westward since 2011. Jo has a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel & Development and has a long background in HR (22 years) predominantly in Customer Service environments, such as Retail and Hospitality.

Within Appleby, Jo also takes responsibility for the Compliance, Payroll and Customer Support Teams. Jo is a member of the divisional board, and her role is to provide leadership and guidance to her teams, and to develop our people plans so that they support the businesses goals.

I've had the opportunity to develop skills in HR Strategy and Transformation, Organisational Design, Employee Relations, Policy Development, Management Development, Training, and HR Metrics.

I've been involved in some large cross functional projects including business transfers and acquisitions, and also had the opportunity to initiate and lead a number of department projects, like multiple implementations of Time & Attendance/HRIS, most recently SAP Success Factors.

Chris joined ACS in October 2009 having graduated from York University with a degree in English and Linguistics. As Communications Director, Chris is responsible for all ACS external and internal communications, media relations and a growing research portfolio which includes the industry leading Local Shop Report.

Chris is an official spokesperson for ACS, appearing frequently on national and regional radio and television including BBC News, Sky News, BBC Breakfast and the Daily Politics show. 

Chris completed the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Diploma in 2013 and the CIM Strategic Marketing Masterclass in 2017. 

Rosie joined ACS in February 2021, after graduating with a degree in English Literature from the University of Portsmouth. Before joining ACS, Rosie worked as a freelance researcher for several non-profit organisations. She is responsible for assisting the communications and public affairs team with research and analysis, used to support policy developments and keep ACS members informed.