Andy Higginson appointed BRC chairman-elect
Andy Higginson has been appointed to succeed Tony De Nunzio, whose tenure comes to an end in September 2023, as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Chairman.
The BRC is the trade association for the UK retail industry, the country’s largest private sector employer, which provides over three million jobs. The BRC’s purpose is to make a positive difference to the retail industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future.
Andy Higginson has over 30 years’ senior executive and non-executive experience in the retail industry in the UK and internationally, covering major brands across retail sectors. He was CFO at the Burton Group plc and Tesco plc, Chairman of Poundland, N Brown plc and Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, and is currently Chair of JD Sports Fashion plc.
He will work with BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, to guide the next phase of the organisation’s development and to support the industry as it faces into near-term policy and market challenges and invests in longer-term change.
Andy Higginson, BRC Chairman-elect, said: In the past three years we have seen the best of retail as it navigated the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19, and the inflationary environment we see today. With innovation, agility and resilience, retailers have continued to deliver for customers. Yet the pressure is still on as retailers need to invest in transforming their businesses for the future.
More than ever, a strong collective voice is needed to advocate for the industry and to help retail businesses navigate change. I have seen the benefit of BRC membership from the company side of the fence, and I look forward to working with Helen and her team to make sure the interests of the wider industry continue to be looked after.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: Andy joins the BRC as we deal with multiple public policy headwinds, with a General Election in the UK not far off. We have much more to do on this and big issues like climate change, creating a more inclusive industry, and reaping the benefits of digital transformation, and I look forward to working with Andy to drive forward our work in these areas.
I would like to thank Tony De Nunzio for his leadership and support over the past three years, where we have dealt with multiple challenges facing the industry, come through a stronger organisation and successfully delivered the BRC’s strategic objectives.
Tony De Nunzio, outgoing Chairman at the BRC, said: I joined the BRC about six weeks into the pandemic and saw close up the massive shock that it caused to the industry. It was a privilege to work with Helen and her team during this period and see how the BRC supported the industry through this crisis with an absolute focus on making a positive difference. At the same time, we have successfully overseen an important phase of the BRC’s strategic development driving a public policy agenda, lower costs through business rates and longer-term change programs. I wish Andy every success in his new role.
