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
05 Sep 2025
FeaturedNews2025 Manifesto for Retail | Kickstarting growth in the everywhere economy
26 Feb 2025- Member Access
FeaturedArticleVote Retail 2026
08 Aug 2025 
Press ReleaseGovernment must support high street footfall revival
05 Sep 2025
ArticleRetailers call for action on GB/NI concerns
05 Sep 2025
Press ReleaseHot weather boosts July sales but shop closures and job losses on horizon
05 Sep 2025- Member Access
ArticleEngagement with Welsh Government on NDR
05 Sep 2025 - Member AccessArticle
NIRC Workplan 2025-2026
05 Sep 2025 - Member Access
NewsRetailers meet with Chancellor ahead of the Budget
04 Sep 2025 
ArticleBritish Heart Foundation: How shopping preloved with purpose is powering retail's circular future
03 Sep 2025
Upcoming Events
EventRoundtableInternal Comms Forum - 17 September
Wed 17 September14:00 - 16:00The Form Rooms, 22 Tower Street, WC2H 9NS
EventSRC Grocery Member Call
Mon 22 September14:00
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeHow to Integrate Nature into your Sustainability Strategy
Tue 23 September09:00 - 17:00The Form Rooms
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeSustainability Masterclass
Tue 7 October09:30 - 16:30The Form Rooms
EventLunchtime seminar on UK Economy and Retail Market
Wed 22 October12:30
EventBRC 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.
