Former Co-operative chief executive Richard Pennycook has been appointed as chairman of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Pennycook will succeed Richard Baker at the beginning of February next year, working alongside chief executive Helen Dickinson and the rest of BRC‘s board.
He will maintain his role as non-executive chairman of The Hut Group as well as his position as chairman of Fenwicks and Howdens Joinery.
“We are in the midst of a very challenging period for the future of the retail industry with a huge amount at stake in terms of the reputation of business, future employment, the vitality of our town centres and the overall health of the industry in the face of multiple structural, economic and public policy challenges,” Pennycook said.
“With that in mind I am very much looking forward to supporting and building upon the BRC‘s pioneering work. Having a strong, coherent voice for Britain‘s retailers is vital if we are to ensure the industry plays its full part in building the skills, opportunities and prosperity of the nation.”
Dickinson added: “I would like to pay enormous tribute to Richard Baker for his contribution as chairman over the past eighteen months during a period of profound change both for our politics and for the BRC, and for his continued support for BRC.”
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