Retail pressure group the Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC) has appointed Sara Jones as head of policy and external affairs.

Jones, who replaces John Munro, joins from communications agency Grayling where she was director of Wales. She has previously held corporate affairs roles for Environment Agency Wales and British Waterways.

She commented: “Retailers provide vital services, essential jobs and training, and help to make our villages, towns and cities thriving and pleasant places to live. I am delighted to be representing their interests in Wales and am looking forward to working with elected members, officers and stakeholders from across Wales to highlight the important role this sector plays”.

The WRC, which was launched by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in 2012, works to highlight issues across the Welsh retail sector and looks to ensure that the Welsh government and relevant local authorities work with retailers to benefit the local economy.

Retail is the largest private sector employer in Wales and account for over 11 per cent of the total work force, proving around 131,000 jobs, primarily for young people.