 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RSA Personnel
Individual profiles and RSA roles
 |
Ken
Parsons (Chief Executive)
..............................................
kenneth.parsons@rural-shops-alliance.co.uk For most of his working life Ken has worked in the retail industry in a variety of roles for some major retail organisations, such as Boots the Chemists, Gateway Supermarkets and Somerfield. For the last few years he has specialised in addressing the issues facing rural retailers, operating as a Retail Consultant for such organisations as the Countryside Agency and more recently, the Rural Shops Alliance. As a result of this work, he is well-known to many shopkeepers in the West Midlands and South West regions. In November 2007 he was appointed Chief Executive of the RSA. |
 |
Anne Unwin (Office Administrator) anne.unwin@rural-shops-alliance.co.uk Anne joined the RSA in 2005 having previously worked in education and hospital administration. Anne is based at the RSA’s headquarters in Dorset where she runs the office and is generally the first point of contact |
 |
Gary
Hepburn (External
Relations Manager) ........................gary.hepburn@rural-shops-alliance.co.uk Gary has held directorships and senior management positions in public bodies, private companies, pension funds and the government sector dating back to 1990, he is currently a director of 4 SMEs offering a diverse range of products and services and holds public appointments in the policing and health services. Gary headed up the regional activities of the postal watchdog Postwatch in the South & West from 2001 until 2008 giving him a good understanding of the importance of Post Office’s and Rural Shops to the communities they serve and the many difficulties these communities and businesses face. Gary specialises in marketing, external relations, consumer affairs, health & safety, media and public relations. He is an active member and trustee of many charities/organisations (predominantly youth and elderly) and also gives time to South West Ambulance NHS Trust as a volunteer Ambulance First Responder. Gary has lived in Weymouth, Dorset since he was born in 1964 |
 |
Trevor West( Chairman) .................... trevor.west@rural-shops-alliance.co.uk Trevor became a director of the RSA in September 2008. Prior to this he spent 31 years with Mars UK, where he was Trading Director for the Convenience Sector. Trevor's experience covers Sales Training, Trade Marketing and National Accounts Sales, having handled Mars Petcare, Food and Confectionery business in Multiple and Convenience accounts. He has always been a great supporter of Independent Retailers and he is a well-known figure in the Sector. He became RSA Chairman in October 2009. |
 |
Phil
Smith (Operations Manager)
philsmith@rural-shops-alliance.co.uk
Phil enjoyed a long career with Post Office Ltd in its various incarnations, including appointments as Regional General Manager and Head of Rural Policy. Phil’s responsibilities within the RSA include working with our retail services Partners, as well as managing specific projects and lobbying Government on crime reduction measures. |
