Matalan's ex-CEO, Jo Whitfield, takes on the position of chair for the British Retail Consortium (BRC)
New Leadership at the British Retail Consortium: Jo Whitfield Appointed as Chair
Jo Whitfield, a seasoned retail veteran with over 25 years of experience, has been appointed as the chair of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Whitfield's tenure will begin on October 2.
Whitfield will be joining the BRC's existing leadership, including CEO, Helen Dickinson, and her team. In a statement, Whitfield expressed her honour to join the BRC, stating, "I am delighted to be joining the BRC at such an important time for the retail industry."
Eve Williams, Vice President and General Manager of eBay UK, will also be joining Whitfield as a new non-executive director on the BRC board. Williams, who took up her role at eBay UK in 2023, has previously held executive roles at Asos and eBay.
Whitfield acknowledged the current government policies that could impact the retail industry and emphasized the need to champion and protect the interests of the sector. She reiterated that retailers are at the heart of communities and a strong, united voice is crucial for their continued success.
Whitfield's appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first female chair of the BRC. In addition to her role at the BRC, Whitfield also serves as a non-executive and audit chair of Asda and is on the Ethics Committee at Factory International.
Whitfield's extensive background in retail includes leadership roles at The Co-Op, Asda, and Matalan. She looks forward to working closely with Helen Dickinson and the BRC team to ensure a bright future for the retail industry.
Eve Williams, in her new role as a non-executive director, will bring her valuable insights from her experience at eBay UK. Williams' appointment to the BRC board, alongside Whitfield, signals a fresh perspective and a renewed commitment to the retail sector.
Whitfield did not specify any particular government policies under consideration that could support or hinder the industry. However, she stressed the importance of a strong, united voice for the retail industry to navigate the challenges ahead.
With Whitfield's appointment, the BRC is poised to continue its advocacy for the retail sector, ensuring that retailers remain at the forefront of the UK's economic landscape.
){kind=link}