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
- Member Access
FeaturedArticleBRC Campaign Coverage
23 May 2025 
FeaturedNews2025 Manifesto for Retail | Kickstarting growth in the everywhere economy
26 Feb 2025- Member Access
FeaturedArticleVote Retail 2026
16 May 2025 
Press ReleaseGovt costs pushes food inflation higher
27 May 2025- Member Access
Meeting NoteExchequer Secretary Meeting - De Minimis and Business Rates
23 May 2025 - Member Access
Community NewsCorporate Affairs Community Call Notes | May 2025
23 May 2025 
Press ReleaseSunshine boosts sales in April
23 May 2025- Member Access
BriefingMedia Weekend Briefing
23 May 2025 
Press ReleaseConfidence rises as trade outlook improves
22 May 2025- Member Access
ArticleWRC Member Roundtables with Welsh Government Officials
22 May 2025
Upcoming Events
EventFortnightly Comms Call - 3 June 2025
03 June 202512:00
EventCorporate Affairs Summer Networking Drinks
04 June 202518:30The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
EventRemote Meeting with Luke Fletcher MS, Plaid Cymru Shadow Economy Minister
05 June 202510:00Teams
EventLearning ProgrammeBRC Leaders Summer School 2025
10 June 2025Ashridge House, Berkhamsted
EventFashion Retailer Breakfast
11 June 202508:30The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
EventInternal Comms Forum
11 June 202514:00The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
EventCommunity MeetingBRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
26 June 202511:00- EventCommunity Meeting
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
24 July 202511:00 - EventCommunity Meeting
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
28 August 202511:00Teams 
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeNature & Business Masterclass: Harnessing nature to deliver sustainable growth
11 September 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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Join our member communities and get more advice and support on issues that matter to you.
