Scotmid Co-operative has appointed a new President and Vice President, following the untimely passing of Hollis Smallman in February 2014.
The Board of Directors voted to elect Harry Cairney as President and Jim Watson as Vice President of the Society. Harry had been Acting President and Jim had been Acting Vice President during Hollis’ illness.
Harry has been associated with Scotmid for 41 years and has been a Board Member since 1998. Harry was a member and then a Board Member of Prestonpans Co-operative, and was elected onto Scotmid’s East Area Board in 1995, following the merger between the two Societies. He served as Vice President from 2009 to 2013.
Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid Co-operative said: “It is a huge honour to become President and to follow in the footsteps of Hollis. He has left a great legacy and I am determined to ensure that this Society continues to go from strength to strength.”
Jim has been associated with Scotmid for 40 years and became a Board Member in 2001. Jim was a member of Carluke Co-operative and was elected to serve on Scotmid’s West Area Board in 1986, following the merger between the two Societies.
Jim Watson, Vice President for Scotmid Co-operative said: “I am delighted that my fellow Board members have elected me as Vice President to work alongside both them and our new President, Harry Cairney. It is a great responsibility and I look forward to representing this Society.”
Scotmid Co-operative is Scotland’s largest independent co-operative society and was first established in 1859. The Society is democratically owned and managed by its 250,000 members, who each have an equal say in how the Society is run.