Helen Dickinson
Helen Dickinson is chief executive of trade body the British Retail Consortium (BRC), whose mission is âto make a positive difference to retail, its customers and the community, today and in the future, by influencing changeâ.
The BRCâs membership includes many of the UKâs biggest retailers as well as independent businesses. The organisation is seen as the authoritative voice of the industry to government on everything from business rates and employment to diversity and sustainability, and it compiles reliable retail data such as monthly sales changes and shop price inflation figures.
Helen is an expert in retail. She has led the BRC since 2013 and before that was head of retail at KPMG.
OpinionâThe Labour Party Conference offered moments of political clarity and economic ambiguityâ
The Labour conference in Liverpool shows that some of retailâs demands are breaking through to government, writes Helen Dickinson. But it also reveals that Labourâs priorities lie in fighting off the rise of Reform, not focusing on business
OpinionExplainer: how business rates may change and what it means for retail
As the government considers business rates reform, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson looks at the implications â and urges retailers to make their voices heard
OpinionâItâs time for government to make some good choices for retailâ
Retail didnât feature in the governmentâs industrial strategy but there is plenty that could be done to help the industry remain a strong foundation of the economy, argues BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâTraders from outside the UK may take advantage of our rules to sell displaced US stockâ
As tariffs dominate the headlines, action is needed to stop stock âdumpingâ in the UK says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâOn Covidâs five-year anniversary, remember the retail staff who worked day in, day outâ
During lockdown, retail employees kept the UK going, putting themselves at risk of the virus while most of us were being told to stay at home. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson and shopworkersâ union boss Paddy Lillis pay tribute to them and make a plea for respect
OpinionâRetail prices will rise as the pressures from the Budget take effectâ
Rates reform is some distance away and new employment regulations are still to play out, so retailers will be rolling up their sleeves to tackle the challenges of the coming year says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâHow retailers operate will change post-Budget as they confront new economic realityâ
âLast weekâs Budget is likely to prompt changes to the operating models of retailers as they seek to adapt to new economic realities, believes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâGovernment commitments are welcome but now itâs about turning words into actionâ
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson reports back from the recent Labour Party conference, which brought an opportunity for retail to influence the decision makers of the next five years on key issues such as business rates and crime
OpinionâOne new government bill has sparked more debate and concern among retail leaders than othersâ
There are legitimate questions to be answered about some of the bills in the Kingâs Speech, but engagement is key to shape policy, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâWhat should retailers do in response to more riots in the coming days?â
Retailers have prioritised the needs of colleagues during the recent rioting and are working closely with the police and authorities to make use of the latest intelligence, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâNow itâs all about the governmentâs follow-through on the commitments that matter to retailâ
Retailers are ready to help the new government leverage their scale and reach to deliver policy goals that will benefit the industry, our economy and communities, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
OpinionâIt will take a combined effort from retail to win over politicians of all stripesâ
As a general election nears, retailers can show the next government that the key to successful leadership is to work with the industry, not against it, believes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâWe need a government that offers business leaders a seat at the tableâ
Retail needs to see joined-up government thinking that understands you cannot increase costs from every angle all at once, says the BRCâs Helen Dickinson
OpinionâThe retail industry was largely sold out by the chancellorâ
While the dust has settled on the chancellorâs autumn statement, the frustration felt by many retailers has not, says BRC boss Helen Dickinson
OpinionâEveryone should sign the petition calling on government to fight retail crimeâ
As violence and abuse of retail staff becomes a pandemic, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson urges the industry to pressure politicians to take decisive action
OpinionâThe government must end its scapegoating of retailersâ
If the government wants to halve inflation by the end of the year, it would be well advised to spend less time criticising retailers and more time listening to them, argues British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâPackaging rules are changing and the bill is likely to be substantialâ
Retailers must prepare for new rules requiring them to cover the full costs of packaging management and recycling, says British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâThe next few months will be challenging, but weâre reaching the eye of the stormâ
Managing the next year must be about containing downturn impact while building foundations to capitalise on opportunities when recovery comes, advises British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâPutting sustainability at the heart of retail isnât virtue signalling, itâs vitalâ
It would not make sense for retailers to cut their focus on and investment in sustainable business, argues BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
OpinionâRetailer focus is on how to help customers caught in cost-of-living crunchâ
At a time of unprecedented national and global challenges, retailers are determined to support their people and their customers, writes British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson.