Full name: Harry Cairney
Length of Society Membership: 44 years
Length of Service on the Regional Committee: 22 years
I became a member of Prestonpans Society in 1973 and was elected to the Board in 1987, following a transfer of engagements to Scotmid I was elected to the East Area Board in 1995 and then on to the board in 1998. I was elected Vice President of the Society in February 2009, and was appointed acting President in 2013 and subsequently elected President in 2014, a position I am very honoured to have been elected to.
Over the years I have been involved in many of the key decisions which hopefully have helped to take the Society forward, particularly in relation to greater membership involvement and participation.
I have held various positions within the Labour Party including Chairman of East Lothian Constituency Labour Party, Chairman of the National Union of Labour & Socialist Clubs Scottish Area for the past 35 years. I have recently retired from the Management Committee of Prestonpans Labour Party Club having served for 46 years, and 34 years as the President, this will allow me to dedicate more time when required to Scotmid.
I am also a member of the Co-op Party and have campaigned for Labour and Co-op candidates at various elections both local and national for over 45 years.
Most of my working life has been in customer service which I believe helps me in my role as a director and ensures that I never forget that our customers are central to all that we do as a Society.