The British Retail Consortium has announced it has chosen Richard Baker as the new chair of the retail industry’s trade association.
Baker, who is already a board member of the BRC, will begin his term from September 1 when Sir Charlie Mayfield steps down after a two-year term.
Baker is currently the chairman of furniture retailer DFS and Costa parent company Whitbread. He was previously chief executive of health and beauty retail chain Boots from 2003 to 2007, and prior to that, chief operating officer at big 4 supermarket retailer Asda.
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“I am very much looking forward to working with the BRC members and to chairing the BRC as its role becomes more vital than ever before,” Baker said in statement.
“The BRC has a strong track record of championing the needs of British retailers – small, medium and large. A backdrop of unprecedented transformation in the industry and many external uncertainties provides a real opportunity to influence the future”.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson also welcomed the news.
“His wealth and breadth of experience will be critical as we take the BRC forward through a period of profound political and economic change,” she said.
“At the same time, we owe a very large debt of gratitude to Charlie for his guidance, insight and support as our chair, during which time the BRC has undergone yet further transformation.
“We are especially grateful for Charlie’s support for the retail industry’s pay, progression and productivity work which has put the changing retail workplace landscape on the economic and political map”.
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