ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has appointed Ed Woodall as its new Chief Executive. He will take up the post from 1 March 2026, succeeding James Lowman who announced his departure in September 2025 after nineteen years in the role.

Ed Woodall joined ACS in 2009 as Public Affairs Assistant, working his way up through the organisation before being promoted to lead ACS’ policy work and political engagement. He first served as Head of Government Relations from 2014, and later became Government Relations Director from 2020. 

Ed holds degrees in Philosophy from the University of Surrey (Roehampton) and an MBA from Surrey Business School. 

ACS Chairman Phil Ponsonby said: “We are delighted to have made this appointment. Ed has senior experience, exceptional campaigning and engagement skills, understanding of the convenience industry, and excellent relationships with retailers, government, other organisations and suppliers. He has a clear vision which chimes with the ACS board: to make ACS the most effective voice, inclusive community and valuable resource possible. There is unanimous and enthusiastic support for Ed’s appointment, and we are excited to work with him as he leads the organisation into the future.”

Incoming Chief Executive Ed Woodall said: “ACS is a powerful voice for the convenience industry and sits at the heart of a positive, future-thinking and passionate community of retailers and other businesspeople. I want to build on our past and lead these people and businesses into an exciting future where we can engage more people and achieve even greater influence over key policy issues on our members’ behalf. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the highly professional and effective team at ACS.”

ACS Vice Chairman Colm Johnson said: “ACS has achieved so much and has become an essential part of the industry through its lobbying work, advice, information, and events, we are all united in supporting Ed to drive the change needed to make ACS even stronger in the future.”

ACS Vice Chair Susan Connolly said: “Ed’s vision for ACS has retailers at its heart, and I know independent retailers will be right behind him and ACS moving forward. Independent retailers need a strong ACS, and Ed will make sure we have that into the future.”

Outgoing ACS CEO James Lowman said: “The board has run an excellent and rigorous process, and I am delighted that its conclusion has been to appoint an outstanding leader in Ed. He has been a key part of ACS’ work for the past sixteen years and is perfectly equipped to take the organisation on to the next level, supported by a superb team and board.”

Following James Lowman’s resignation, ACS formed a Recruitment and Selection Committee comprising eight directors, including four independent retailers, supported by outsourced talent management advice. This Committee ran a tender process that led to the appointment of Odgers, supported by their sister business Berwick Partners, to lead a search process that included publicly advertising the role. A large number of applications were received, all of exceptionally high quality. 

A rigorous assessment process resulted in a shortlist of candidates who were invited to interview at the beginning of 2026. Following these interviews, the Recruitment and Selection Committee recommended Ed Woodall to the ACS board for appointment. This recommendation was unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed. 

ACS Chairman Phil Ponsonby continued: “We are pleased to have conducted an open, objective selection process which attracted applications from a large number of highly skilled and experienced leaders. This gives us great confidence that in Ed we have identified the right person to lead ACS into its future.”