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
FeaturedArticleBRC Campaign Coverage
15 Aug 2025
FeaturedNews2025 Manifesto for Retail | Kickstarting growth in the everywhere economy
26 Feb 2025- Member Access
FeaturedArticleVote Retail 2026
08 Aug 2025 - Article
Budget 2025 campaign | BRC calls on APPG Chairs for support
15 Aug 2025 
Press ReleaseSRC praises Glasgow’s decision to shelve Workplace Parking Levy
14 Aug 2025- Member Access
ConsultationWRC responds to consultation on ‘Proposals for non-domestic rates differential multipliers’
13 Aug 2025 
Press ReleasePSNI praised on shop thefts by retail leaders
13 Aug 2025
Press ReleaseWelsh Retail Consortium Urges Fairer Rates: ‘No Store Should Pay More’
12 Aug 2025
BlogFrom Carbon to Nature: Evolving Your Retail Sustainability Approach
12 Aug 2025
Press ReleaseRising sales not enough to fend off job losses and store closures
12 Aug 2025
Upcoming Events
EventCommunity MeetingBRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
Thu 21 August11:00Teams
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeHow to Integrate Nature into your Sustainability Strategy
Thu 11 September09:00 - 17:00The Form Rooms
EventRoundtableInternal Comms Forum - 17 September
Wed 17 September14:00 - 16:00The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeSustainability Masterclass
Tue 7 October09:30 - 16:30The Form Rooms
EventLunchtime seminar on UK Economy and Retail Market
Wed 22 October12:30- Event
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting - October 2025
Thu 23 October11:00 - EventCommunity Meeting
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting - November 2025
Thu 27 November11:00 - EventCommunity Meeting
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting - December 2025
Thu 18 December11:00
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
David Lonsdale
Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, and Head of Devolved Nations for the BRC
David Lonsdale is the Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, and Head of Devolved Nations for the BRC. Prior to this he was Assistant Director at CBI Scotland for 8 years until 2013, and previously worked at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, rising from Policy Officer to become Head of Policy & Public Affairs.
David’s responsibilities at the SRC involve representing and promoting the interests of the retail industry and member companies to government, policy makers and opinion formers on a wide range of public policy issues.
He is a board member of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, a member of SCDI’s National Policy Committee, a member of the CBI Scotland Council, and former chairman and trustee of Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland.
Join a community
Join our member communities and get more advice and support on issues that matter to you.
