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About Us

Helping thousands of independent retailers thrive

About Us

For over 100 years, the Fed has been the voice of independent retail, supporting members to succeed and thrive.

The Fed is one of Europe’s largest employers’ associations, with over 8,000 independent retail stores across the UK and Ireland.

Our History

Our history

Independent retailers are at the heart of local communities across the UK. They create jobs, support vulnerable customers, raise funds for local causes, deliver newspapers, and provide essential everyday services.

Founded in Leicester in 1919, with roots stretching back to 1893, we have spent over a century championing independent retailers as the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN). In 2021, we became the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), a name that better reflects the diverse members we proudly represent today.

Membership provides practical support, expert advice, commercial services, exclusive deals, and buying opportunities designed to help retailers run more profitable businesses.

We actively represent members at government and parliamentary level and are the official government referral body for the sector. As a not-for-profit organisation, we exist solely to support, protect, and promote independent retailers across the UK and Ireland in membership.

Our objectives

  • To ensure we operate efficiently while providing a structure that is relevant to the needs of members in a challenging and ever-changing marketplace.
  • 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.

Who we serve

Membership of the Fed consists of a variety of independent retailers:

  • Newsagents

  • Petrol forecourts

  • Confectioners

  • Home news delivery operators/roundsmen

  • Card & stationery shops

  • Convenience stores

  • Florists

  • Post offices

Membership services

The membership service’s team comprises of the membership service manager 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 promotes political campaigns to ensure independent retailers’ voices are heard at every level of government.

From lobbying for security grants to producing practical guidance such as our vape guide, we support members on the issues that matter most.

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.

Communications and marketing

The communications and marketing teams are responsible for both internal and external communications. High quality information that supports the Fed’s goals and objectives is delivered both online and offline via the website, emails, social media and Your Fed.

Our Team

Fed's Presidents

Senior National Officials
The Fed’s Presidents

Hetal Patel
National President
Hetal began his retail journey in 1998, has held multiple branch and district leadership roles within the Fed, and was elected National President in June 2025.
Learn more

Hemanshu Patel
National Vice President
Hemanshu, owner of Saltwood General Stores and director of a community interest company, has held multiple branch and district roles within the Fed.
Learn more

Craig Etchells
National Deputy Vice President
Craig, raised in a family of retailers, joined the Fed after university and now runs C&W Etchells with his family and team.
Learn more

Executive Councillors

The Executive Council

Chaired by the National President, the Executive Council administers all affairs of the Federation.

Hussan Lal

Scotland district

Colin Reed

Newsagents

Jason Birks

Moscis Ltd

Andrew Taylor

Taylor Todays

Muntazir Dipoti

Todmorden News Centre

Sasi Patel

Go Local Extra

Suresh Patel

Premier Upholland Ltd

Sunilkumar (Sunil) Patel

Norwich Road Food Store

Ketan Lakhani

Jack In The Box

Narinder Randhawa

Main Road

Julia Bywater

Bywater News

Vince Malone

Tenby Stores and Post Office

Andrew White

Wottons Farm

Devendra Patel

This & That

Alpesh Patel

Premier

Anant Patel

Gays Newsagent

Ashish Patel

Premier

Viral Joshi

The Village Shop, High Street

Judith Mercer

Hamilton News

Martin Mulligan

Mulligan’s Londis Athlone

Standing Orders Committee

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

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Fred Pezhman

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Nalin Kotecha

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Charles Pegram

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Taswinder Sangha

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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

Nilesh Patel

Nils Convenience Store

Mike Mitchelson

Brampton Post Office

Management Staff

Management
Key management staff

Phil Jaggard
Member and Development Director
Phil, with over 35 years of retail experience, joined the Fed in 2021 and now leads field operations and membership services, driving record-breaking recruitment.
Learn More

Brian Murphy
News and Operations Director
Brian, with extensive retail and field experience, joined the Fed in 2005 and now oversees news operations, technology, the Contact Centre, CRM, and external services.
Learn More

Adrian Page
Business and Engagement Director
Adrian joined the Fed in 2021 and now leads business development, engagement team, and political engagement, bringing 20 years of retail experience.
Learn More

Field Team

The Field Team
Our Membership Development Executives (MDEs)

Our MDEs 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
07714 982161
andrea.parlagreco@nfrn.org.uk

East Anglia & Southeast

Trev Harper

Membership Development Executive
07970 408097
trev.harper@nfrn.org.uk

Northeast & Scotland

Kayleigh Shaw

Membership Development Executive
07909 633664
kayleigh.shaw@nfrn.org.uk

Ireland

David McKeown

Membership Development Executive
07717 898087
david.mckeown@nfrn.org.uk

West Midlands

Kulvinder (Kully) Kumar

Membership Development Executive
07717 701765
kulvinder.kumar@nfrn.org.uk

Northwest

Jon Rowles

Membership Development Executive
07786 397528
jon.rowles@nfrn.org.uk

South Wales & Southwest

Karuna Prasad Rao

Membership Development Executive
07917 343625
karuna.rao@nfrn.org.uk

Yorkshire & East Midlands

Simon Hooley-Rice

Membership Development Executive
07717 701766
simon.hooley-rice@nfrn.org.uk

Jobs

Jobs

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.

Currently no vacancies

The benefits of joining

Join the Fed and enjoy over 150 benefits:

  • Special deals and offers
  • Personal benefits including serious illness, bereavement & hardship funds
  • Enjoy free legal advice & access
  • News and magazine support
  • Representation & engagement at government level
  • Member only retailer magazine & tailored newsletters
  • Retail insights and business support to help trading
Join Now
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Hetal Patel

National President
Hetal’s retail journey began in 1998 in South Wales with a newsagents. He joined the Fed that same year. After five years, he took a break from retailing. In 2004, he took over his current shop in Maidenhead and rejoined the Fed, being active within the Windsor and Maidenhead Branch (now Bucks and Berks). Hetal has been branch president three times, as well as being its trustee.

Since 2015, Hetal has served as a London district councillor. He sits on the London district executive and in 2018 was elected district president.

Previously, Hetal has been a national councillor and a member of the National Finance Committee. He was elected National President in June 2025.

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Hemanshu Patel

National Vice President
Hemanshu is the owner of Saltwood General Stores and the director of a community interest company that produces publications and runs the annual We Love Hythe Life Food Festival. With a passion for supporting businesses, Hemanshu was Chairman of the Hythe Business and Tourism Association for five years until 2023.

A Fed member since 2004, he was elected South East district vice president in 2023 and district president in 2024. Hemanshu has also served as branch secretary for the Folkstone and East Kent branches for several years.

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Craig Etchells

National Deputy Vice President
Craig was destined for a role in retail and the Fed from birth! His parents owned their first store on Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-hardy, Manchester in 1968, becoming members immediately. Craig grew up learning the trade and started working full-time at the store after leaving university in the summer of 1995.

Following in their footsteps, he officially joined the Federation after a visit from the local rep. Now, with wife Barbara, brother Chris, nine staff and 14 newspaper deliverers, Craig runs C&W Etchells.

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Phil Jaggard

Member and Development Director
Phil has gained vast experience in retail roles for over 35 years, ranging from sales assistant, store manager and regional manager roles, working with smaller independent retail chains, running his own retail business and with multiple experience gained with One Stop and Nisa Retail where for 16 years he worked with independent retailers.

With extensive retail and field sales experience, Phil brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fed. Joining in 2021, Phil has responsibility for field operations and membership services, and has seen a record-breaking success in member recruitment.

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Brian Murphy

News and Operations Director
With significant news and field based experience gained from working in multiple retail groups and in wholesaling, Brian joined the Federation in 2005. He is responsible for the news operations and technology departments, the Contact Centre, the CRM and external consultants and services.
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Adrian Page

Business and Engagement Director
Adrian joined the Fed in July 2021 as head of business development. Before that, he spent 20 years at Nisa, heading up its Direct to Store business channel where he gained valuable experience within a member owned organisation, supporting independent retailers in the convenience sector.

With a good understanding of delivered wholesale and symbol group business models and how they operate, he brings experience of leading commercial teams and developing strategies to deliver revenue streams and benefits.

Adrian is responsible for the business development, communications, marketing and political engagement departments.