Full name: Jim Gilchrist
Length of Society Membership: 48 years
Length of Service on the Regional Committee: 31 years
Coming from a family steeped in the Co-operative movement, I have been a member of Scotmid and its predecessors for 48 years. I have served on the West regional committee/Area board for 31 years, serving as Treasurer for most of that time and recently retired from the Scotmid Board, having served 17 years.
Over the years, I have represented Scotmid and its members at events, both locally and nationally. I continue to be extremely proud at how the Society and our staff support the communities in which we operate and support the Co-operative business model.
In my working career, I was employed by the former Motherwell District Council for 30 years. Initially as an electrician, then electrical inspector. Having managed and set up departments including gas heating, glazing and UPVC factory, I finally managed the joinery and machine shop department, also painting contracts and managed approximately 100 staff.
I firmly believe in the values and principles of the Co-operative Movement and believe the experience and knowledge gained over the years and in my past roles, helps me to understand the business challenges that face Scotmid.