20 minutes with...

In this final episode of Series 1 (we’re back with Series 2 soon!), Eimear talks to Jonathan James.From a small farm shop in a disused barn to a thriving multi-site retail estate spanning the country, he has built quite the journey in convenience retail.In this episode, host Eimear Andersen sits down with Jonathan to explore what it’s really like running a family business alongside his wife Rebecca and their children Joshua and Emily, where family dinners often double as business strategy sessions.Jonathan reflects on navigating major industry changes, the challenge of moving from a hands-on retailer to a corporate leader and why community engagement matters more than ever.He also shares why a few quiet hours on his tractor are his version of agri-therapy, his pride in chairing Soham Town Rangers FC and the piece of advice from his grandmother that still guides him today: “Every day is a school day.”With warmth and candour, this is a conversation about resilience, family dynamics and why independent retailers are truly in a league of their own.This episode marks the final one for Series 1 of 20 minutes with … but we will be back very soon with Series 2 with more inspiring conversations. Make sure you click on Follow to be notified when the next episode comes out.

Kevin Hunt – The Reality of Retail in 2025Fourth-generation retailer Kevin Hunt leads a family business that began in 1946 and now runs 23 local community SPAR stores. In this powerful and often candid conversation, he shares what it really takes to keep an independent business thriving nearly 80 years on. Kevin talks about: Growing up among shelves stacked with sugar and joining the family firm at 13The hard work and risk-taking that have defined three generations of HuntsHow supermarkets threatened their survival in the late 70s — and how the family fought backWhy constant reinvestment and local identity are essential to staying relevantThe partnerships with local butchers that transformed his storesThe human side of leadership: valuing 500 employees, visibility and loyaltyAnd the growing crisis of violence and abuse in convenience retail and his message to government about the need for real deterrence A grounded, heartfelt episode about resilience, community and what it truly means to be an independent retailer in 2025.

For nearly 30 years, James Lowman has been at the heart of the Association of Convenience Stores — 19 of them as Chief Executive. He’s steered the organisation through major change, from the rise of convenience retailing and new government regulation to the turbulence of COVID.In this wide-ranging conversation, James reflects on his journey from public affairs manager to CEO and the evolution of the UK’s thriving convenience sector. He talks about:The moment he joined a fledgling ACS in 1996 — and how the convenience sector defined itself for the modern eraEarly policy battles and what’s really changed (and hasn’t) in how government works with retailersWhy influence is an art, not a science — and how to make people listen and actWhat sustained leadership looks like after two decades in the same roleHow data transformed ACS’s credibility and voice with governmentThe human side of the job — from building community to surviving the intensity of the pandemic yearsAnd why he believes local shops aren’t a thing of the past, but “absolutely part of the future.”A thoughtful, grounded and very human look back at a career spent shaping one of the UK’s most important retail sectors — and a rare moment of reflection before James moves on to new horizons.

For more than 30 years, Debbie Robinson has helped shape UK retail, leading major high-street names while championing people, communities and sustainability. In this episode, she shares how purpose and values guide her leadership as CEO of Central Co-op, which is one of the country’s largest independent co-operative societies.Debbie talks about:How a Saturday job led to a lifelong career in retailThe purpose behind Central Co-op’s mission to create “a sustainable society for all”Why fair reward, training and respect for colleagues are vital to a healthy sectorTackling retail crime and building stronger community tiesThe meaning of membership, from democratic decision-making to local impactCentral Co-op’s renewable energy push and ethical sourcing projects in MalawiChelmsford Star Co-op joining Central Co-op and how it strengthens both societiesWhy young people should “ask for forgiveness, not permission” as they grow their careersA conversation about purpose-driven leadership, community resilience and why people remain at the heart of every great retail story.** Please do leave a rating and, if you have time, a little review - it really does help the word get out **

Eimear Andersen is joined by Mike Severs from Volumatic. Mike has spent more than a decade making cash handling simpler, safer and smarter for retailers of all sizes.They explore why cash is still vital in a digital-first world, how retailers can balance efficiency with customer choice and the technology that’s helping frontline colleagues feel more confident at the till.You’ll hear about:The myths around cash and why it’s here to stayHow “smart cash” tools are changing retail operationsWhy younger generations are rediscovering the value of notes and coinsThe global opportunities shaping the future of paymentsMike also shares why he’s convinced cash will still matter decades from now and why retailers ignore it at their peril.Follow the show for more conversations, and if you enjoyed this one, a quick review and rating makes all the difference and would be hugely appreciated.

20 Minutes With… Michael Lorimer, CEO of DCS GroupMichael Lorimer leads one of the UK’s most remarkable distributor success stories. In this episode he talks about balancing global brands with a thriving own label and how people, values and community sit at the heart of DCS’s growth.He reflects on 31 years of consecutive expansion at DCS Group, moving into food distribution and the vision behind their new customer innovation centre. Along the way he shares candid views on government policy, sustainability and why developing talent will shape the company’s next chapter.It’s a clear snapshot of where the business is going — all in just 20 minutes.

In this episode, Eimear Andersen is joined by SPAR UK MD, Michael Fletcher, a leader who has shaped the UK grocery and convenience sector for more than three decades. From starting out at Tesco in the 1990s to now guiding thousands of independent stores across the country, Michael brings a wealth of experience and a passion for retail that shines through every conversation.Michael shares:How he first stumbled into retail and why he still considers it the most fun industry to work in.The unique opportunity and challenge of working with SPAR’s five shareholder businesses while protecting their independent spirit.Why customer focus always beats shareholder focus — and why every senior leader should spend time working on the shop floor.What today’s convenience shoppers really want, from value and promotions to food for tonight solutions.The critical role of own label in driving value and competitiveness.How independent retailers can balance local autonomy with the strength of a national brand.The innovations, challenges and opportunities shaping convenience retail, from gamification and loyalty to food-to-go, own brand and digital engagement.His advice to retailers and brands entering the sector: pick the right site, stock for your local community, surround yourself with great people and choose the right partner.This wide-ranging conversation is full of practical insights and big-picture perspective from one of the sector’s most experienced voices.

20 Minutes With… David WalkerIn this episode, Eimear Andersen is joined by David Walker, tech and data specialist and CCO of Cerve. David is helping the food and drink industry unlock the power of real-time insights – cutting waste, saving costs and reimagining how supply chains operate.David explains how APIs – the digital “pipes” that allow data to flow seamlessly between systems – are transforming purchasing, selling and compliance for wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and operators. By replacing outdated manual processes with accurate, automated data, businesses can free up people, reduce errors and focus on growth.He shares how smarter data use can:reduce food waste by giving startups and operators better visibility of stock and supplycut costs and redeploy teams into value-adding rolesspeed up promotions and increase turnover through real-time insightslay the essential foundations for the future use of AI in the industryDavid also demystifies AI for food businesses, emphasising that “perfect, accurate data must come before AI”. He offers practical advice on how businesses can start small – by mapping their current processes and using simple tools – before diving into more complex strategies.Looking ahead, he predicts a revolutionary shift: manual tasks replaced by AI agents, admin teams evolving into growth-focused roles and data seamlessly connecting the entire food system from farm to fork. His closing advice to industry leaders: don’t chase shiny solutions – take stock, review where you are and build carefully towards “food 2.0.”A fascinating conversation that highlights the scale of opportunity – and the urgency – for food and drink businesses to embrace data and technology.