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
Press ReleaseUK DMO begins work to deliver Deposit Return Schemes
06 May 2025- Member Access
ArticleBRC Campaign Coverage
02 May 2025 - Member Access
Meeting NoteBRC Meets House of Lords Team on Employment Rights Bill
01 May 2025 
Press ReleaseEmployment Rights Bill putting “brakes on hiring”
29 Apr 2025
Press ReleaseFood inflation up as labour costs rise
29 Apr 2025
NewsTreasury opens consultation on VAT relief for donations
29 Apr 2025- Member Access
Meeting NoteSRC and WRC Retail Manifesto Workshop
28 Apr 2025 
ArticleSales heat up in March
25 Apr 2025- Member Access
ArticleEmployment Rights Bill: Summary of Lords amendments
25 Apr 2025 - Member Access
Meeting NoteBRC Meeting with Skills Minister - Growth and Skills Levy
24 Apr 2025
Upcoming Events
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeMaximising Performance through Belonging
14 May 2025The Form Rooms
EventCommunity MeetingFortnightly Comms Call - 20 May 2025
20 May 202512:00
EventCelebrating Welsh Retail
21 May 202508:30Dahl Suite, 1st Floor Conference Centre, Voco St David's Cardiff, Havannah Street, Cardiff, CF10 5SD
EventCommunity MeetingBRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
22 May 202511:00
EventCorporate Affairs Summer Networking Drinks
04 June 202518:30The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
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 Meeting
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
26 June 202511:00 - EventCommunity Meeting
BRC Corporate Affairs Community Meeting
24 July 202511:00
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
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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