Finance Community
Business financing, card scheme and interchange fees, taxation, consumer credit
Navigating the transformation with shifting consumer behaviour, rising payment costs, and new payment types, which heighten competition and regulatory complexities.
Our industry is in transformation; consumer behaviour is shifting towards a digital economy, and the cost of handling payments and providing credit is escalating, meaning profits are under increasing threat. New payment types are being developed, increasing competition in the market and potential benefits for retailers, but also bringing new regulations and complexities.
Through the Finance Community, BRC members can understand these dynamics and maintain pressure on Government to reduce the cost of doing business.
Objectives
Securing increased competition and lower fees for merchants in the payments market.
Developing a minimal-risk model for merchants when processing offline payments.
Developing initiatives to tackle the rising prevalence of first-party fraud and erroneous chargebacks.
Working Groups
Within the Finance Community are the following Working Groups:
Payments Group
We look at payments issues and concerns, with a focus on card fees, access to cash, and open banking.
Consumer Credit Group
We look at any issues arising within the consumer credit world, including buy-now pay-later.
Members
The following key roles and the teams that report into them:
Finance Directors
Payment Architects
Treasury/Payments/Compliance Managers
Senior Commercial Finance Managers
Insights/CX/UX specialists
Associate Members
Latest Content
ArticleHMRC Update - Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax
02 May 2025- Member AccessArticle
Draft response to the FCA's proposals on contactless limits
01 May 2025 - Member AccessArticle
Update on the PSR's proposal for a price cap on cross border interchange fees
30 Apr 2025 - Member AccessArticle
Call for the government to act on cash acceptance
30 Apr 2025 
NewsTreasury opens consultation on VAT relief for donations
29 Apr 2025
BlogScott Ward Joins the BRC Leader Summer School as a Group Coach
22 Apr 2025- Member AccessArticle
BRC survey to inform FCA Engagement Paper on Contactless Payment Limits
17 Apr 2025 
Press ReleaseMary Portas returns to speak at the 2025 BRC Leaders Summer School
16 Apr 2025- Member AccessArticle
BRC submission to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s call for evidence looking at the cost of energy
11 Apr 2025 
Press ReleasePress ReleaseRegulator proposals on card fees “fall well short” of what is needed
02 Apr 2025
Upcoming Events
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeMaximising Performance through Belonging
14 May 2025The Form Rooms
EventExternal EventIn PersonEuropean Financial Integrity Summit 2025
15 May 202508:45Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam Zuidas, 1083HM Amsterdam
EventCommunity MeetingFinance Community call
15 May 202510:30Teams
EventLearning ProgrammeBRC Leaders Summer School 2025
10 June 2025Ashridge House, Berkhamsted- EventCommunity Meeting
Finance Community call (1)
12 June 202510:30Teams 
EventMasterclassLearning ProgrammeSustainability 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
Chris Owen
Policy Adviser - Finance
Chris manages the BRC’s Finance Community and has recently joined the organisation after working in public policy roles for a range of companies and organisations, including TikTok, Which? and Ofcom. He has extensive knowledge of current digital policy matters and online advertising regulations and has extensive experience in engaging with government and regulators, advocating for better consumer outcomes in markets and in shaping legislation.
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