SWA’s new president says it must adapt and evolve
THE Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has announced plans to reform the way the trade group operates to ensure better representation for the industry.
Speaking at the association’s annual conference in Crieff, new SWA president Julie Dunn said the organisation has to make sure it is “match fit for the future”.
She went on to say changes to the governing council had to be made to ensure it was as efficient as possible with the right people operating in the right positions.
Dunn pointed to the recent creation of the SWA Foodservice Group as a significant development for the association.
The group was formed to reflect the growing importance of foodservice in wholesale.
“We need to ensure that our council covers all categories of membership,” she said.
“Working groups are a terrific way to attract the highest calibre of membership but we have to determine as a council what our working groups must achieve to ensure maximum impact for the association and the industry.
“We can work together, forming effective partnerships and bridging mutual gaps in understanding. In this way we can help identify emerging issues and be part of the solution.”
The association also revealed a scheme to increase training opportunities within the industry.
In order to tackle the difficulty of recruiting young people into the industry, the SWA will be working in conjunction with Scottish Government programme Developing the Young Workforce to bring together the industry and education.
Dunn said: “We need to show young people of all levels of educational attainment that wholesale is a viable destination and plays a vital role in keeping Scotland’s biggest industry – food and drink – on the move.”
