Former FWD director general Alan Toft dies

Alan Toft, who was director general of the FWD for 16 years, has died at the age of 91.

In 2009, Alan Toft (right) received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the then FWD chairman Francis Ball.

Toft joined the Federation in 1989, having previously been the editor and founder of Independent Grocer magazine (now Independent Retail News).

During his time with the FWD, Toft created the ‘My Shop is Your Shop’ campaign, as well as Independents’ Week, which focused on the value of local family-owned stores to the community. He also established Blueprint, a merchandising template for drinks categories.

On his retirement in 2009, Toft received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the FWD’s Gold Medal Dinner from the then chairman Francis Ball.

FWD chief executive James Bielby commented: “Alan was a passionate advocate for all things independent and their role in the community, and under his leadership FWD played a key role in demonstrating their value to consumers and suppliers.”