The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has restructured its policy and public affairs operations to better represent retailers on matters such as European regulation.

The BRC is creating a public affairs department. Three teams will focus on business and regulation, food and sustainability, and public affairs respectively, bringing together UK and European public affairs and media relations.

Previously, there were policy and public affairs functions within two separate teams.

The three teams will be headed by directors Tom Ironside, Andrew Opie and Jane Bevis respectively, reporting to director-general Stephen Robertson.

Two new roles will be created to cover public affairs in Brussels and sustainability, including ethical trade.