You don't need a big budget to build great leaders — you need the right partner
HR and L&D teams in retail are being asked to do more with less.
Budgets are tighter, headcount is stretched, and the pressure to demonstrate the impact of every learning investment has never been greater. At the same time, the need to build capable, confident leaders across your organisation hasn't gone away, if anything, it's grown.
That's where we come in. Whether you're looking for cost-effective programmes for frontline managers or strategic guidance on how to build a leadership pipeline, BRC Learning gives you the support, resources and community to make it happen, without breaking the budget.
Your Free Solution for Entry-Level Leaders
BRC Leadership Essentials is the perfect starting point for developing new and aspiring leaders. Recognising that turnover at entry and supervisory levels is typically high in retail, we've designed a cost-effective solution that allows you to invest in leadership development without financial risk. It's completely free for BRC Members and offers flexible online delivery.
Develop Talent Across Your Organisation
Beyond Retail Essentials, we offer programmes for mid-level and senior leaders to help your organisation thrive.
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Meet the Learning Team
Vicki Young
Head of Learning
Vicki is an experienced people professional who brings a rich background in HR leadership to her role as Head of Learning for BRC Learning at the BRC.
Before joining the BRC, Vicki spent nearly a decade at World Duty Free, one of the UK's most prominent travel retailers, where she rose to Regional HR Manager for the South of England. In that role she held responsibility for around 1,000 employees across 14 locations, leading a team of 12 HR professionals and driving the full employee lifecycle. Her work centred on building strong business partnerships, delivering people-focused change, and developing leaders at every level of the organisation — giving her a grounded, commercial perspective on what effective learning really looks like in a retail environment.
She now brings that operational depth to BRC Learning, where since 2021 she has led the learning offer for one of the UK's most influential retail bodies, helping shape the skills and careers of people across the sector.
Kate Vukomanovic
Digital Capability Manager | BRC Learning
Kate is a learning and development professional with deep roots in the retail and hospitality sectors, specialising in building the training ecosystems that help retail businesses and their people thrive.
She spent over five years at Fuller, Smith & Turner, one of the UK's most respected pub and hospitality retailers, progressing from Retail Trainer to Learning Services Manager. In that time she designed and delivered induction programmes for General Managers, supported the development of over 75 deputy and assistant managers, and led training for new and refurbished sites across the estate. As Learning Services Manager, she took ownership of the company's LMS platform and led a team responsible for delivering blended learning at scale across the business.
Kate now channels that hands-on retail expertise into her role as Digital Capability Manager at the BRC, where she has been instrumental in the design of BRC Learning.
With a career built on understanding how retail people learn and grow, Kate brings a practitioner's perspective to every learning challenge.
Sam Coates
Marketing Manager | BRC Learning
Sam is a marketing professional with a genuine passion for education and lifelong learning, having built a career at the heart of institutions that inspire and develop people.
That passion is reflected throughout her experience. At Bellevue Education, one of the UK's leading independent school groups, she honed her skills in stakeholder engagement and relationship management. At London Business School — one of the world's most prestigious business schools — she worked across employer branding and degree programme marketing, playing a key role in promoting LBS's flagship MBA and postgraduate offerings. This gave her a rare, close-up understanding of how world-class learning institutions attract and engage their audiences.
Sam brings a compelling mix of marketing expertise and genuine sector insight, making her a distinctive voice at the intersection of education, professional development, and strategic communications.
FAQ's
Can I book multiple spaces now and confirm attendees later?
Yes. Most of our returning customers book spaces in advance to secure their budget allocation, then nominate specific attendees closer to the programme date. This gives you the flexibility to plan internally while reserving your places.
Do you offer tailored learning for my organisation?
Yes. We design bespoke leadership programmes and specialist workshops for retailers, covering topics such as AI & Digital and Sustainability. Working with trusted partners and programme designers, we create learning solutions tailored to your organisation's specific needs.
Are programmes available online or in-person?
Yes, both. We offer flexible delivery options—online and in-person—to make leadership learning accessible to a wider audience across your organisation.