New CEO for Food Storage and Distribution Federation

Shane Brennan, who joins the Federation in mid July, is an experienced trade association leader and communications professional. He joins the FSDF from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents farmers and landowners. As External Affairs Director, he led the media, political, publishing and digital business. Before CLA, he was a longstanding member of the leadership team at the Association of Convenience Stores.

A proven communicator and political campaigner, Shane has a track record of successfully defending members interests and securing concrete policy outcomes. He is an innovator that has delivered corporate change in trade associations, building commercial products, partnership initiatives and delivering value for Association members.

Shane, who is a graduate of the University of Warwick and the Chartered Institute for Public Relations, commented on his appointment: "I am delighted to be joining the FSDF at this crucial time. Our industry is entering a period of significant change, and FSDF members will be at the forefront of navigating the food industry through the challenges and opportunities of Brexit. FSDF will be here to help our members to do this job successfully. I am inheriting a strong organisation with a growing membership and exciting, relevant, products that our industry values.

"Having worked for members in food production at the CLA, and for retailers at ACS I am delighted to be joining an Association that represents another vital link in the food supply chain.

"I look forward to working with Tim Moran, the Board, the staff team and all the members to take the FSDF into its next phase. I am grateful to my predecessor Chris Sturman who has done so much to make the FSDF the successful organisation it is today”.

President of FSDF and Managing Director - Logistics at the Yearsley Group, Tim Moran said: “After a rigorous recruitment process I am delighted to welcome Shane to the FSDF. His enthusiasm and credentials made him the stand out candidate among a high quality short list of applicants, and the members of the selection committee were particularly impressed with Shane’s commitment and knowledge.

“The food logistics industry has many challenges ahead, a dynamic marketplace with retailer and customer consolidation along with the continued uncertainties of Brexit. All these factors make Shane’s appointment pivotal to the next phase in the Federation’s life cycle.

“I very much look forward to working with Shane, as does the FSDF Board and the wider community of members within the FSDF family. At the same time, we are grateful for the achievements and leadership of Chris Sturman over the last nine years, and as an active FSDF Board member in the 11 years before that, and wish him well in his retirement.”