Meet the woman who keeps Asda in line with GSCOP
Sarah Dickson Code Compliance Officer for Asda and is responsible for the retailer’s compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). Sarah has worked for Asda’s parent company, Walmart, for over 10 years. Also sitting on the Board of IPL, a subsidiary of Asda heritage in sourcing produce, Sarah has visited overseas growers and has spent time with the heart of Asda’s supplier community. Her inspiration to build and maintain relationships with suppliers meant that the role of CCO was her natural next step.
The Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) or “the code” is a detailed code of practice for how the UK top 10 retailers are expected to fairly and lawfully manage direct supplier relationships.
It essentially stops malpractice from buyer power and only regulates the link between the retailer and their direct supplier.
Aldi, Asda, Co-Op, Iceland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose all legally have to comply with GSCOP rules. CLICK HERE TO VIEW GSCOP.
Each retailer, by law, must appoint a suitably qualified employee as their Code Compliance Office (CCO) who must be independent and not managed by any member of the Buying team. The CCO is a point of contact for suppliers to discuss any GSCOP related matters as well as the GCA.
GSCOP is adjudicated by the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA), Christine Tacon, an independent office ensuring all 10 retailers are code complaint. The GCA holds meetings with each individual CCO on a quarterly basis and will meet all CCOs as a group in six month intervals to update them on the work of the Adjudicator.
Click here to view the GCA website for news and guidance on GSCOP
Question: If you could change one thing about the groceries market, what would it be?
I am completely aligned with Every Day Low Prices and as a time strapped customer (with 2 young children to entertain on shopping trips!) I am attracted to the simplicity and ease of a clear and simple price.
Question: What are the most challenging aspects of your CCO role?
I have only been in post for a few weeks so my main challenge has been ensuring that I know and have spent time with all my stakeholders in the business. The key to maintaining an effective compliance programme in GSCOP is in the engagement of our colleagues and I could not do this role without that investment in time.
Question: What achievement as CCO are you most proud of?
In my few short weeks, I’ve trained many colleagues and there is nothing quite like the feeling when those you have trained, follow up with you later and build on the content. Training only really lands when it is acted upon – a tick in a box is of little use where there is no engagement & change as a consequence.
Question: What 3 things do you want to achieve in the next 12 months?
(1) Continue the good work of the previous CCO Alex Simpson!
(2) to build a sustainable and effective GSCOP compliance programme within Asda
(3) to embed GSCOP into Asda’s overall culture of compliance – it is “just the way we always do things around here.”
Question: Is there anything else you would like to share with reader of New from the Adjudicator?
At Asda, we know that building great supplier relations is the key to our success. We know we can always improve in this and as CCO, I am here to listen. Please contact me on Y29kZWNvbXBsaWFuY2VvZmZpY2VyQGFzZGEuY28udWs= if you have any comments, questions or concerns.
The NFU see GSCOP and the GCA role as a huge success in changing the culture and behaviour of the top 10 retailers. Our members frequently tell us that since the GCA’s first establishment in 2013, retailers are now more open and transparent in their day to day dealings with direct suppliers.
It is law, within GSCOP that all retail buyers must be GSCOP trained. The NFU strongly feel that for GSCOP to work best, direct retail suppliers must too be trained. That’s why we offer DISCOUNTED TRAINING sessions to ensure our members have the right negotiation tools to ensure code compliance agreements with retailers.