Jason Birks – National President
I have been in my current business as a convenience store for 26 years currently trading under the Booker Premier Facia. We have made a constant evolution moving forwards by adapting to changes in consumer trends and specialising in vape products for the last four years. I enjoy helping members solve issues and striving to making the Federation better for all members moving forward.
Muntazir Dipoti – Vice President
I am better known as Monty and I own Todmorden News Centre in West Yorkshire, a newsagents specialising in magazines, confectionery and stationery. My first taste of retailing began in 1995 when I worked part-time in the family business. I had a gap when I went to college and university and then worked for a few other firms, before coming back to the family business and then taking it over.
I have been actively involved with the Fed for more than 10 years. As well as serving on the NEC, I was national deputy vice president in 2018 and national vice president in 2019.
Shahid Razzaq – National Deputy Vice President
My name is Mo Razzaq, I have been in business for over 32 years, I originally ran a small store in the town of Blantyre, we built the business up. Later in 2013, we opened our current store, Family Shopper which has a post office, Subway and Dessert Bar which we called Roxy’s Desserts. I have been in the NEC (National Executive Committee) from July 2019 and a member of NFRN for a number of years.
Narinder Randhawa – Immediate Past President
Having held every position at branch and district level, and quite a few at national level, Narinder was elected as National President in October 2021. He will lead the Federation until June 21 2022. A retailer for more than 35 years, Narinder owns Great Haywood Spar in Staffordshire.
Outside the Federation, Narinder is very active in his local community. He is a founder member of Mahal Warriors FC and is still heavily involved in the running of the club. He is also a child welfare officer, CRB officer and has an FA Level 1 football coaching qualification.
Hussan Lal – National Executive Committee
I am an ex-policeman and, after retiring from the police force in 2007, I bought my first shop in Paisley in the most deprived and crime ridden area of Scotland. Since then, I have worked with the local community to earn and gain their respect.
Having joined the Fed in 2008, I have tried to help as much and as many of our members as I can. I bring the same scenario to the NEC as I am very much a member person. I’m married, with two children and three grandchildren.
Shumaila Malik – National Executive Committee
We bought our shop in Withington, Manchester in August 1998. It is based in a residential area and has been there since the 1920s, I believe. The shop has had two large refits over the years and currently trades under the Costcutter umbrella.
Since 2000, I have been Manchester branch president. From then, I got involved at district level and was North West president for two years, from 2008 until 2010. I served on national council for five years, from 2006 until 2011 and between 2010 and 2011 sat on the national executive committee.
Hetal Patel – National Executive Committee
My retail journey began in 1998 in South Wales, with a newsagents. I joined the NFRN that same year. After five years, I took a break from retailing. In 2004, I took over my shop in Maidenhead and rejoined the NFRN, being active within the Windsor and Maidenhead Branch (now Bucks and Berks). Three times I have been its president and also its trustee.
Since 2015, I have served as a London district councillor. I sit on the London district executive and in 2018 was elected district president. I am a national councillor and sit on the national finance committee.
Andrew Taylor – National Executive Committee
My name is Andrew Taylor and I have worked in the retail news industry since 1979. Our shop is in East Hull, not far from the North Sea Ferries terminal. During the 1980s we were very much a CTN with delivery rounds but in 1995 we started selling grocery and alcohol. Our store is located on a main road with a lot of houses nearby. Now we are fully convenience and after starting with the Premier logo we are now Todays branded and supplied by Unitas wholesaler Dee Bee. I have been involved with the Federation since 1985 at local and district level and in 2012 started attending National Council meetings. I was elected onto NEC in 2019.
Martin Ward – National Executive Committee
Together with my wife Helen, I run a convenience store in Billingham, Stockton on Tees. When I bought it in July 2006, it was primarily a newsagent, but we have extended it and moved into convenience. In 2020, we joined Premier.
I have been a Fed member since 2006 and have held positions at every level, including Stockton branch secretary, Northern district president, chairman of the national finance committee and national trustee. I was part of the team which implemented moving head office from London to Durham, acted as liaison project officer on the refurbishment of Yeoman House and negotiated the purchase of Bede House last year.
Anant Patel – National Executive Committee