Corporate Affairs Community
Communication, messaging, risk, reputation, influencing government
Advocating for retail by communicating its transformation, protecting reputation, and influencing economic and policy environments.
Retail is transforming fast as shopping habits change and businesses invest in new ways of serving their customers.
The Corporate Affairs community ensures that there is a loud and clear voice describing the causes and effects of this transformation and advocating on behalf of the industry. We are focused on promoting and protecting the reputation of the retail industry with its stakeholders, and influencing the economic and policy environment to promote investment and growth. We work with the UK government, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Current Campaigns
Buy Into Retail
Unlocking economic growth, everywhere; Providing higher skilled, more productive and better paid jobs; And helping the UK build a greener tomorrow.
Budget Campaign
Outlining the impact of the Autumn Budget on the retail industry
National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG)
Tackling violence and abuse against retail workers.
Meetings
Monthly campaign meeting
Get the latest updates across our priority campaigns, and input to our forward plans
Dates: X
Time: 11am-12pm
Fortnightly comms call
Check in on live media issues and shape our messaging
Every other Tuesday, 12pm-12.40pm.
Devolved Nations
Scottish Retail Consortium
Welsh Retail Consortium
North Ireland Retail Consortium
Members
The following key roles and the teams that report into them:
Corporate Affairs and Communications Directors
Executives/Senior Managers with responsibilities for media relations, communications, government and public affairs across the UK and devolved nations
Associate Members interested in political engagement
Latest Content
Advocating for retail by communicating its transformation, protecting reputation, and influencing economic and policy environments
EventLearning ProgrammeBRC Summer School 2025
10 June 2025Ashridge House, Berkhamsted
EventWebinarLeading in the Industry: Seeing a Bigger Picture with the Learning Team
12 March 2025Online
EventLearning ProgrammeBRC Retail Masters 2025
10 March 2025The Form Rooms, Covent Garden
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeSustainability Masterclass: Developing and delivering your strategy
12 February 2025The Form Rooms
EventLeading People: A People-Centric Approach with the Learning Team
12 February 2025Online- Member AccessEvent
'Scotland in 2025’ – Virtual briefing for members - 27 January
27 January 202527 January 2025 - Member AccessReport
Campaigns Report - December 2024
13 Jan 2025 - Member AccessReport
Campaigns Report - January 2025
13 Jan 2025 - Press Release
2025 headwinds will result in higher prices
09 Jan 2025 - Press Release
Christmas fails to save 2024 trading
07 Jan 2025
What our members say
The BRC allows a fiercely competitive sector to come together on some of the most important issues of the day. When it focuses on the long term topics that require well considered political and legal change it is at its most effective.
The BRC is invaluable in bringing retailers together to discuss crucial topics and then lobby the retailer message to government on our behalf. The BRC’s media presence and focus on promoting the interests of retailers allows us to align on issues impacting the sector.
A very effective business network that provides insight and coordinates industry opinion.
The BRC continues to do an excellent job of supporting the retail sector and its individual members on a wide variety of issues.
Adds a lot to our business, great sounding board, very well connected and able to influence.
A positive and considered voice for our industry, useful learning/ business-focused communities that help our team in their roles, and data insights that help us benchmark our performance.
Community Manager
Stephen Bethel
Corporate Affairs Director
Stephen leads the BRC’s communications and political engagement team, working across the organisation’s priority campaigns. He is an experienced corporate affairs professional with a background in media relations, public affairs and employee engagement.
Stephen spent his early career at the Department for Transport and Ministry of Defence, and has since held senior positions with BAE Systems, Bombardier and Bupa.
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