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
2025 Manifesto for Retail
Kickstarting growth in the everywhere economy
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
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
ArticleBill Progress Monitor
28 Mar 2025- Member Access
ArticleBRC Campaign Coverage
28 Mar 2025 
On demandBuy Into Retail: Manifesto breakdown
27 Mar 2025
ArticleBuy Into Retail: Events
27 Mar 2025
ArticleBuy Into Retail: Local MP Site Visits
27 Mar 2025
ArticleBuy Into Retail: Thought Leadership
27 Mar 2025
On demandBuy Into Retail: Retail Leader Interview Series
27 Mar 2025
Press ReleaseBRC responds to the Spring Statement
26 Mar 2025
Press ReleaseFood inflation set to rise in 2025
26 Mar 2025
Article‘On Covid’s five-year anniversary, remember the real heroes – the retail staff who worked day in, day out’
24 Mar 2025
Upcoming Events
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeSustainability Masterclass: Developing and delivering your strategy
02 April 2025The Form Rooms
EventCommunity MeetingIn PersonDeveloping our Welsh and Scottish retail manifestos - workshop – 24 April, London
24 April 202509:30The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, London WC2H 9NS
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeMaximising Performance through Belonging
14 May 2025The Form Rooms
EventCorporate Affairs Summer Networking Drinks
04 June 202518:30The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
EventLearning ProgrammeBRC Summer School 2025
10 June 2025Ashridge House, Berkhamsted
EventFashion Retailer Breakfast
11 June 202508:30The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS- Event
Internal Comms Forum
11 June 202514:00The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS - EventMasterclassLearning Programme
Sustainability Masterclass: Developing and delivering your strategy
07 October 202509:00The Form Rooms
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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