Full name: James Watson
Length of Society Membership: 41 years
Length of Service on the Board: 14 years
I joined Carluke Co-operative in 1974 and have been a member of Scotmid since the merger of St Cuthbert’s and Dalziel Co-operative formed the present Society. In an ever changing economic world I view the Values and Principles of co-operatives, i.e. self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, solidarity to be as relevant today as they were at their inception in 1844 when first launched by the Rochdale Pioneers. I believe Scotmid remains one of the major retailers and employers in Scotland because it continues to hold to its principles of ensuring member involvement, trading ethically, treating all with respect, providing decent working conditions for staff, working in co-operation with others and providing excellent customer care.
I was first elected to the West Area Committee of the Society in 1986. At the present time I serve as Vice Chairman of the West Regional Committee. I was elected to the Board of the Society in 2001 and as Vice President in May 2014. I am Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, having served as Chairman of the Audit Committee for 9 years. In all these capacities I work in co-operation with my colleagues and management of the Society while remaining independent enough to ask those questions that should be asked.
I am married with two grown up sons and I enjoy travelling, eating out and socialising with friends.