Annette Howard, owner of EUROSPAR Belmullet, and Derek Kennedy, owner of EUROSPAR Swinford, have been appointed to the National Council of EUROSPAR Retailers (NCER ) for 2011/2012, after being nominated along with 10 of their peers from across Ireland to represent nearly 60 independent EUROSPAR retailers in developing the group’s overall strategy and policies.
The NCER is a representative body of EUROSPAR retailers encompassing urban and rural-based stores. The NCER operates on a voluntary basis whereby the elected members meet with the management of EUROSPAR’s parent company, BWG Foods, throughout the year to discuss matters of relevance to the wider group.
Managing director, BWG Foods (operators of EUROSPAR ), Willie O’Byrne, said: “As a brand which has stores in every corner of Ireland, EUROSPAR is an integrated part of the local community and is run by independent business people who live and work in the area. As such, it is essential that we understand the issues and opportunities facing people on the ground and this council helps us to do that, ensuring we make decisions for the betterment of the group overall.”
Speaking about her appointment to the council, Howard said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the NCER. Being part of Ireland’s leading local retail group brings great benefits to our local customers, staff and my business.” Kennedy added, “I look forward to contributing to the development of group strategy and policies in order to ensure that we continually improve the quality of our service to local customers.”
Howard has been trading in Mayo since 1989 and through her business, she employs 36 people. Kennedy has been trading in Mayo for seven years and employs 30 people. They both support local suppliers and various community initiatives and were both also recently presented with the prestigious EUROSPAR 5 Star Retailing Award. Howard has also achieved the Q Mark hygiene and food safety certification from Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA ), for excellence in food retailing.
