The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has named the winners of this year’s Peter Jowett Awards at the AACS Connect 25 Awards Dinner held at Crown Melbourne.
Edward Ratcliffe from 7-Eleven was the winner of the Retailer Award and Emily Tipping from Suntory Oceania was the winner of the Supplier Award. Each will receive a ticket to attend the AACS 2025 International Study Tour.
A big congratulations to all the finalists – Rhys Pennisi, Oindrila Deb, Edward Ratcliffe, Emily Tipping, Amelia Reyes, and Mia Avery.
This year’s topic was: What can be done now to future proof convenience to enable the industry to thrive?
Tipping, who is currently a Category Manager of the P&C and Independent Grocery Channel at Suntory Oceania, said it was an incredible feeling to be named the Supplier Winner.
“After three months of hard work and preparation, it was both daunting and exciting to present my idea to our entire industry. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
“I think the Peter Jowett Award is an essential experience for any young person in the industry to participate in, as it provides a totally new perspective to the convenience channel that we might not consider during our day-to-day. Even if I hadn’t made it through to the finals, the experience I gained through preparing for Peter Jowett has made me stronger both as a Category Manager and as a person.”
Ratcliffe, who is a Category Manager at 7-Eleven Australia, said when he first decided to enter the Peter Jowett Award, his goal was simply to become a finalist and have the opportunity to present at the Retailer and Supplier Member Engagement Session.
“To have won such a prestigious award is a privilege and a moment I’ll always reflect fondly on.
“The Peter Jowett Award is incredibly important for aspiring young leaders in the industry. Like in any field, it can be challenging for young professionals to engage with senior leaders, particularly across different functions. The Peter Jowett Award creates opportunities for these conversations, enabling networking and, more importantly, challenging your thinking. Personally, as someone relatively new to 7-Eleven and the industry, it has been a valuable experience for me.”
Tipping expressed her excitement at heading overseas with the study tour, saying that until now, the furthest she has been away from home is to New Zealand.
“I am very excited to get a new stamp on my passport! As I mentioned in my presentation, I am from a very small town in the Riverina so I anticipate seeing big cities like New York and Chicago will be exhilarating. I am also looking forward to learning and sharing the experience with so many of our industry’s leaders as well as fellow Peter Jowett winner Ed Ratcliffe.”
Ratcliffe said he was excited to learn more about the American retail market.
“Since having worked in FMCG, I’ve often heard that the USA is five years ahead of the Australian market, so I can’t wait to experience that firsthand. Additionally, the opportunity to travel alongside some of the brightest minds in our industry is something I’m looking forward to, as it will provide a valuable chance to learn and further develop.”
Both Tipping and Ratcliffe expressed their congratulations to the other finalists, as well as thanking those at AACS and in their own companies that helped and supported them on the journey.