The Scottish Wholesale Association has unveiled the shortlists for five categories in its annual Achievers Awards, which are set to take place next month in Edinburgh.
The five categories – Rising Star, Employee of the Year, Wholesale Local Food Champion, Supplier Sales Executive of the Year, and Wholesale Driver of the Year – recognise and celebrate the efforts of individuals who bring passion, knowledge, ideas and personality to their role, making a major contribution to the growth and success of their business.
Read more: SWA set to host Scottish wholesale sector for 2025 awards
In the Rising Star category, the three shortlisted individuals are:
Matthew Farmer, commercial development co-ordinator, Brakes Scotland
Suzanne Hood, QHSE management trainee, Bidfood
Zygmunt Jan Ruszczyc, data analysist, United Wholesale Grocers
Employee of the Year also has three shortlisted candidates:
John McAndie, transport operations manager, Bidfood
Megan Smith, purchasing co-ordinator, Lomond Wholesale
Matthew Wardropper, junior buyer, JB Foods
In the Wholesale Local Food Champion, the four shortlisted entrants are:
Ewan Harvie, commercial development co-ordinator, Brakes Scotland
Gerry Davies, business manager, Bidfood
Matthew Farmer, commercial development co-ordinator, Brakes Scotland
Megan Smith, purchasing co-ordinator, Lomond Wholesale
In the Supplier Sales Executive of the Year, the finalists are:
Craig Barr, regional business development manager, AG Barr
Jonny Rennie, head of out of home, Taylors Snacks
Zoe Stephens, Scotland business account manager, KP Snacks
Finally, the Wholesale Driver of the Year finalists are:
John Martin, Braehead Foods
Stephen Maxwell, Booker Glasgow
Charles Mcsherry, JB Foods
Jiminez Ramos, Bidfood Glasgow
SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “We’re incredibly excited to be showcasing so much talent at Achievers 2025 and our shortlisted finalists in these five important people categories have blown us away with their passion for wholesale and their drive to contribute to their businesses in a meaningful way.
Wholesaler awards:
● Best Cash & Carry (sponsored by Britvic)
● Best Delivered Operation – Retail (sponsored C&C Group)
● Best Symbol Group (sponsored by Pernod Ricard)
● Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice (sponsored by Red Bull)
● Best On-Trade Wholesaler (sponsored by Hi-Spirits)
● Best Off-Trade Wholesaler (sponsored by AB InBev)
● Best Marketing Initiative (sponsored by Suntory)
● Wholesale Driver of the Year (sponsored by Philip Morris)
● Great Place to Work (sponsored by Premier Foods)
● Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year (sponsored by AG Barr)
● Employee of the Year (sponsored by CCEP)
● Rising Star of Wholesale (sponsored by KP Snacks)
● Best Innovation (sponsored by JTI)
● Wholesale Local Food Champion (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink and TWC)
Supplier awards:
● Best Advertising Campaign (sponsored by Tapestry)
● Supplier Sales Executive of the Year (sponsored by Unitas)
● Project Wholesale (sponsored by Tapestry)
● Best Overall Service (sponsored by Bestway Wholesale)
● Best Foodservice Supplier (sponsored by Bestway Wholesale)
● Local Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Lomond Foods)
