Mr Brodie has been with Scotmid for over 30 years, nearly 20 of those as chief executive. He is a chartered accountant who worked in an accountancy practice before joining the Society in 1993 as chief financial officer. He was appointed acting CEO in 2004 and CEO in February 2005.

Mr Brodie will continue in role until August next year when a new CEO will be in position. The board has already started the process of finding a successor and is hopeful of making an announcement in the near future.

Jim Watson, president of Scotmid, said: “On behalf of myself, the board of directors, staff, and members I would like to thank John for the way he has guided the Society through some of the most difficult times that businesses have ever faced from the credit crunch, Brexit, Covid through to the continuing cost of living crisis.

“When he retires next August, he will hand over a strong and successful Society that delivers our core purpose of ’Serving our communities and improving people’s everyday lives.”

Mr Brodie said: “It’s certainly not goodbye just yet as there is still a great deal of work to be done between now and next August so it’s very much business as usual.

“However, making my announcement early will help ensure a smooth transition enabling the Society to continue as normal.

“I can say, however, that the past 30 years have been full of a huge number of positives and a number of challenges, and I am immensely proud of how my colleagues have every time risen to those challenges.”