Joy and surprise for Pete

Scottish Grocers Federation’s Bridge-of-Allan-based chief executive Pete Cheema has been awarded an OBE in the Honours List.

Born in Wolverhampton and brought up in Kent, Pete – whose full name is Pargan Singh Cheema – based himself in Scotland from 1988 onwards and quickly established a reputation as an award-winning retailer, operating a store in the Raploch area for 26 years.

He has served as president of the SGF – the national trade association for independent convenience stores in Scotland – and was a member of the National Executive from 1999 onwards. He was appointed chief executive in 2015 and is widely credited with having transformed the federation into a modern, relevant and influential organisation.

Active in both local and national politics, he stood against deputy First Minister John Swinney in the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election.

Mr Cheema currently sits on the Board of the Scottish Retail Consortium and of the Scotland Towns Partnership.

He said:“This award has come as a real surprise and I am delighted to accept it on behalf of myself and my family.

“As much as anything this a recognition of the importance of convenience retailing to the economy and to our communities.”