Ken MacKenzie is the new chairman of the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC).

MacKenzie has worked in retail for more than 30 years and has been chief officer of the Scottish Co-op since 1992. He is also a member of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, chairman of Caravan Scotland and vice chair of Skillsmart, the UK retail sector skills council. He replaces Eddie Thompson, who retired last month after more than seven years in the role. MacKenzie starts this month but his first engagement will be the launch

of the Scottish Retail Consortium's manifesto for the 2007 Scottish local and parliamentary elections on 10 January.

"It is an honour to take up the role. I am looking forward to promoting the interests of Scottish retailers," said MacKenzie.

SRC director Fiona Moriarty said MacKenzie had been "a highly effective advocate for the industry through his work on the Scottish Grocers' Federation and expertise".