Matthew Dodson, General Manager, Patties Foods, has been appointed to the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) Board as a Supplier Director.
AACS supplier members were asked to nominate who they wanted to see representing them on the AACS Board and a shortlist of four candidates were named, with members ultimately voting on Dodson’s appointment.
Dodson, who told C&I that he is “delighted” by the appointment, will join the Board on a three-year term, and sees the opportunity as a “wonderful chance to give something back to the convenience industry that has given me so much over many years”.
He has a vast background in the convenience and foodservice industries, most recently as General Manager – OOH at Patties, where he’s had the chance to contribute to a core focus area for the industry being “food on the go”.
He holds a Master of Business Marketing from Swinburne University, which has given him the grounding in a commercial and marketing context that’s guided him to a customer first focus, for both retailer and consumer.
Dodson told C&I: “I’m delighted to be voted by leading industry peers as the Supply Director to the Board of AACS.
“AACS plays a critical role in shaping the future of the convenience industry and I’ll be using my 20+ years of food experience and expertise to help shape the future growth platform of food within the sector. It is critical that we maintain the loyalty of our core consumers, while aggressively recruiting a new generation to continue to drive category growth.”
Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS, offered his congratulations and welcomed Dodson to the Board, also thanking Drew Fairnham from Frucor Suntory for having stepped in as interim director.
“I am incredibly excited to have Matt join the board, as he will bring a new perspective from a food manufacturing perspective,” says Foukkare. “His in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships will help contribute to the strategic direction of our industry.
“I would also like to thank Drew Fairnham for his support in an Interim Director role since last November, his input and support has been invaluable.”