Mary Portas returns to speak at the 2025 BRC Leaders Summer School

Mary Portas will return to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Leaders Summer School for the third consecutive year, bringing her sharp insights on the challenges and opportunities facing retail today. In a fireside chat with BRC CEO Helen Dickinson, Mary will reflect on the evolving retail landscape, leadership, and the urgent need to rethink how businesses operate. 

Commenting on the current state of the industry, Mary warns of the fragility of progress, particularly around equality and inclusion. “Decades of fighting for hard-won equality have shown us how easily progress can unravel. The rollback of diversity commitments and the rise of anti-woke rhetoric are both enraging and heartbreaking,” she says. Mary believes that leadership must move beyond reactive anger and focus on meaningful, collective progress. “Inclusion isn’t an add-on—it’s central to good business. Broader perspectives are critical if we’re going to tackle global challenges like climate breakdown and economic uncertainty.” 

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC, agrees: “Inclusion, sustainability, and leadership accountability aren’t optional—they’re central to how we build a stronger, more resilient industry. Mary doesn’t just talk about these issues—she pushes us to act. That’s why this conversation at this year's school is so relevant for the next generation of retail leaders.” 

Mary also emphasises the shift toward purpose-driven leadership, underscoring the importance of aligning business goals with societal values. “The businesses that will thrive are those that put purpose at their core—leading with people, planet, and profit, in that order.” This ethos is central to what she calls the “Kindness Economy,” which prioritises community, sustainability, and long-term resilience. 

Innovation, she argues, will be essential to revitalising the high street. “Retail’s future lies in strengthening community connections and removing the friction from the shopping experience.”