British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson is to step down from his role in December.

Robertson has spent five years at the trade body.

BRC chairman Rob Templeman said: “Stephen has made a sterling contribution to the BRC and has moved the organisation forwards both in its policy achievements and in its financial stability. The membership has grown significantly under Stephen’s leadership and he will leave the BRC in a position of great strength and influence as the leading campaigning organisation for retailers”.

Prior to joining the BRC in 2008, Robertson was director of communications at Kingfisher and beforehand marketing director at B&Q. During his time at B&Q he led the acquisition of Screwfix Direct, which he then chaired. He was previously on the retail board of Woolworths.

Robertson will continue in his non-executive roles at both cobblers and keycutters Timpson Group and financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, but as yet has no plans to move elsewhere.

Robertson said: “I’m proud of the strength and capabilities of the BRC team and the important work it does. The organisation is in a good position to handle the challenges the retail sector faces”.