Tribute paid to former JW Gray MD George Hepburn

George Hepburn, former MD of wholesaler JW Gray and former Unitas Wholesale board member has passed away

George was instrumental in supporting the board of Landmark Wholesale, and following the merger with Today’s Group in 2018, he continued in his position as a member of the Unitas Wholesale board for a short while before his retirement.

As managing director of JW Gray, George successfully led the development of the largest wholesaler servicing the islands of Shetland and Orkney, offering customers a wide range of grocery and locally sourced fresh products, as well as a comprehensive range of beers, wines and spirits.

As Landmark Wholesale’s managing director, Martin Williams worked closely with George:

“JW Gray were a long-standing loyal and supportive member of Landmark Wholesale and George was a credit to his business with the way he represented them, Scotland and smaller Landmark members on the main board. He held a board position for many years, getting re-elected on several occasions, to continue representing the Group.

“Despite living and working in Shetland, George’s attendance record at all Group meetings and events was 100%, he never missed any meetings, ever. Board meetings would normally mean up to four days out of the office for George, travelling the length of the UK and then back again. Never once did George complain about the efforts he made to attend these meetings.

“I personally used to pick George up a lot for board meetings from the airport, and he would always comment on the traffic. We would hit a traffic jam as soon as we left the airport hotel, and George would always say that on Shetland, if you see two cars on the road, it was a traffic jam!

“George made many friends in Landmark and within the wholesale industry and will be sadly missed by all of us. We all want to send our condolences to his wife Anna and his family and friends.”

George Hepburn JW Gray Unitas Wholesale