About us
The Federation of Independent Retailers is one of Europe’s largest employers’ associations, with over 8,000 independent retail stores across the UK and Ireland.
Helping thousands of independent retailers thrive.
Independent retailers play a critical role in communities across the UK. They help raise much-needed funds for local causes, give young people their first jobs, keep a watchful eye out for more elderly or disabled customers, exclusively provide a store-to-door news delivery service and act as a gateway for bill payments. In short, independent retailers are the heart that keeps local communities beating.
For over 100 years, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has existed to help independent retailers run more profitable and successful businesses.
While we can trace our history back to the 1840s, it was in Leicester in July 1919 that the first unified conference of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) – as we were then named – was held.
More than 106 years later, in today’s highly competitive market, membership of the Fed still gives thousands of independent retailers a trading advantage through practical help and assistance, commercial support, deals and buying opportunities, events, expertise and services.
We actively represent members’ interests at governmental and parliamentary level, and we are the official government referral body for the sector. We are proud to be a powerful voice for the independent retailer.
A team of national officials, led by the National President, are elected by the NFRN’s Annual Conference which sits at the top of a democratic membership structure that reaches from local branches and districts to the Executive Council.
With our member-focused approach and 106 years of retail experience, no organisation does as much as the Fed to help today’s independent retailer.
And as a not-for-profit organisation, we are only ever working in the best interests of our membership.
Membership of the Fed consists of a variety of independent retailers, including:
- NEWSAGENTS
- PETROL FORECOURTS
- CONFECTIONERS
- HOME NEWS DELIVERY OPERATORS/ROUNDSMEN
- CARD & STATIONERY SHOPS
- CONVENIENCE STORES
- FLORISTS
- POST OFFICES
Our history
Founded in Leicester in 1919, our roots actually stretch back to 1893. For over a century, we’ve championed independent retailers as the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN). In 2021, we became the Federation of Independent Retailers, a name that better reflects the diverse members we proudly represent.
Our objectives
- To be the voice of the independent retailer.
- To be recognised by the industry and government as a key and influential retail membership organisation.
- To provide commercial support by operating as a collective trading group, delivering positive benefits to members that enable them to run financially successful businesses.
- To ensure we operate efficiently while providing a structure that is relevant to the needs of members in a
challenging and ever-changing marketplace
Membership services
The Membership Service Team are the Membership Service Managers and admin that facilitate all aspects of Branch, District meetings and events needs, as well as the Annual Conference & National Awards
General inbox with any queries: memberservices@nfrn.org.uk
Political engagement
The Fed actively champions political campaigns to ensure the voices of independent retailers are heard at every level of government.
From lobbying for security grants to help small businesses strengthen their protection measures, to creating practical guidance like our Vape Guide to help members navigate the single-use vape ban introduced in June, we work hard to make sure members are informed, supported, and represented on the issues that matter most to them.
If you have any questions about the Fed’s Political Engagement work, contact our Political Engagement Coordinator douglas.oliver@nfrn.org.uk
Business development
As a brand or supplier, you can secure advertising space or submit sponsored content that resonates with our readers, ensuring visibility and engagement amongst decision makers in the convenience channel.
Our Team
Senior National Officials
The Fed’s Presidents
Hetal Patel
National President
Hemanshu Patel
National Vice President
Craig Etchells
National Deputy Vice President
The Executive Council
Chaired by the National President, the Executive Council administers all affairs of the Federation and
comprises representatives across all districts.
Hussan Lal
St Mirren Food Store
67 Love Street, Paisley
Renfrewshire PA3 2EG
T: 07903 467870
E: hussanlal1@outlook.com
Colin Reed
Newsagents
5 St Albans Row
Carlisle CA3 8JF
T: 07901 620584
E: cjrcolin@btinternet.com
Jason Birks
Moscis Ltd
Sunderland Road
Horden, Durham SR8 4PF
T: 07985 219800
E: jasonbirks@me.com
Andrew Taylor
Taylor Todays
314 Southcoates Lane, Hull
North Humberside HU9 3TN
T: 07789 136693
E: taylor314ctn@hotmail.co.uk
Muntazir Dipoti
Todmorden News Centre
15 Bridge Street
Todmorden OL14 5AQ
T: 07970 632167
E: monty-1977@hotmail.co.uk
Sas Patel
Go Local Extra
Albert Royds Street
Rochdale OL16 5AA
T: 07967 621012
E: bargainbooze@sky.com
Suresh Patel
Premier Upholland Ltd
11-13 Dingle Road, Upholland
Lancashire WN8 0EN
T: 07830 347838
E: suri.patel@gmail.com
Sunilkumar (Sunil) Patel
Norwich Road Food Store
39 Norwich Road, Off Parker Drive, Leicester LE4 0LR
T: 07877 210561
E: patelsunil@hotmail.co.uk
Ketan Lakhani
Jack In The Box
11 Cara Close, Stoney Gate
Leicester LE2 3UD
T: 07940 244794
E: ketanlakhani11@yahoo.co.uk
Narinder Randhawa
Main Road
Great Haywood
Staffs ST18 0SW
T: 07974 085702
E: GHSpar18@gmail.com
Julia Bywater
Bywater News
8 The Arcade, Kent Street
Upper Gonal, Dudley DV3 2DA
T: 074559 54682
E: juliabywater@hotmail.co.uk
Vince Malone
Tenby Stores and Post Office
Ruabon House, South Parade
Pembrokeshire SA70 7DL
T: 07958 235701
E: tenby@mail.uk
Andrew White
Wottons Farm
Broadhempston, Totnes
Devon TQ9 6BB
T: 07779 518940
E: noowhite@hotmail.com
Devendra Patel
This & That
16 High Street, Plaistow
London E13 0AJ
T: 07956 420062
E: dpatel0076@aol.com
Alpesh Patel
Premier
5 Station Road Wheathampstead
St Albans AL4 8BU
T: 07903 080078
E: alpesh.patel@nfrn.org.uk
Anant Patel
Gays Newsagent
28/30 Fore Street
Hertford, Herts SG14 1BY
T: 07850 890035
E: anantpatel247@gmail.com
Ashish Patel
Premier
31-33 St Martin’s Hill
Canterbury CT1 1PU
T: 07814 279726
E: patelashish_2001@yahoo.com
Viral Joshi
The Village Shop, High Street
St Margarets at Cliffe
Dover CT15 6AU
T: 07957 716280
E: shreesavaltd@gmail.com
Judith Mercer
Hamilton News
7 Greenway, Cregagh Road
Northern Ireland BT6 0DT
T: 07771 765263
E: hamiltonnews@btconnect.com
Martin Mulligan
Mulligan’s Londis Athlone
Roscommon Road, Athlone
Co Westmeath N37 P6Y9
T: 0035 3872 419171
E: info@mulligansathlone.ie
Standing Orders Comittee
The Standing Orders Committee elected by the Executive Council shall, at a meeting or meetings held before Annual Conference begins, prepare the
preliminary and final agendas.
Kieran McDonnell – Chair
28 Garsdale Road
Whitley Bay
Tyne and Wear NE26 4NU
T: 07961 117342
E:kieranmcdonnell2005@yahoo.co.uk
Fred Pezhman
55 Mason Crescent
Wolverhampton WV4 4DT
T: 07790 867459
E: fpezhman@hotmail.co.uk
Nalin Kotecha
3 Cedar Close
Chesham HP5 3LL
T: 07973361603
E: kotecha.nalin@gmail.com
Charles Pegram
Fairlawn
Tally Ho Road, Shadoxhurst
Ashford TN26 1HW
T: 01233 733767
E: charlespegram@hotmail.com
Taswinder Sangha
Freshgos Holgate
25a Boroughbridge Road
Acomb, York YO26 5RT
T: 07980 710016
National Trustees
The National Trustees shall be three in number, must be members of the
Federation and shall be elected by and answerable to the Federation at Annual
Conference, but should not be elected members of the Executive Council.
Ferhan Ashiq
Levenhall Village Store
3 Ravensheugh Road
Musselburgh EH21 7PS
T: 07793 815986
E: ferhan.ashiq@nfrn.org.uk
Nilesh Patel
Nils Convenience Store
279 New North Road, Ilford
Essex IG6 3DX
T: 07887 721052
E: nilesh.patel@nfrn.org.uk
Mike Mitchelson
Brampton Post Office
5-7 Front Street, Brampton
Cumbria, CA8 1NN
T: 07774 781724
E: mike.mitchelson@nfrn.org.uk
Management
Key management staff
Phil Jaggard
Member and Development Director
Brian Murphy
News and Operations Director
Adrian Page
Business and Engagement Director
The Field Team
Our Membership Development Executives (MDEs)
Our MDE’s are the face of the Federation, their primary role is to attract as many new members as possible to join the Fed in their designated territories.
We have a team of MDEs who cover the UK and Republic of Ireland, based geographically in numerous territories, enabling them to react and respond quickly to the needs of all retailers.
The MDEs also visit current members to ensure they are fully up to date on all areas of the organisation and its benefits, and that all members are maximising everything we do to help you make money, save money and make business easier.
To get in touch with your local MDE, you can find their contact details and the area they cover below
London
Andrea Parlagreco
Membership Development Executive
East Anglia & Southeast
Trev Harper
Membership Development Executive
Northeast & Scotland
Kayleigh Shaw
Membership Development Executive
West Midlands
Kulvinder (Kully) Kumar
Membership Development Executive
South Wales & Southwest
Karuna Prasad Rao
Membership Development Executive
Yorkshire & East Midlands
Simon Hooley-Rice
Membership Development Executive
Jobs
Join a winning team
Looking for a new challenge with an organisation respected across industry, government and the media?
Are you ready to shape services and support that offer genuine value to independent retailers battling in challenging market conditions?
We’re always on the search for energetic, driven and problem-solving people who are as comfortable working in a team as they are on their own.
Use the tool below to browse our latest vacancies.