Former Co-op boss Richard Pennycook named new chairman of the British Retail Consortium

Pennycook, who departed the mutual in March after almost four years with the business, will succeed Richard Baker as BRC chairman on February 1 next year.

Baker, who has been chairman since July 2016, made the announcement at this evening’s BRC Annual Dinner in London.

Retail veteran Pennycook has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, having started his career at department store chain Allders.

He went on to spend time at JD Wetherspoon, Laura Ashley, Welcome Break and Morrisons before joining the Co-op initially as interim finance director in 2013.

“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.”

Richard Pennycook

Pennycook left the Co-op to build a portfolio career and now serves as chairman of online retailer The Hut Group, Howdens Joinery and department store group Fenwick.

Earlier this week Pennycook was named as the new chairman of Ideal Shopping, which operates the Create and Craft TV channel in the UK and US.

In his latest chairmanship, Pennycook will work alongside BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson and the organisation’s board to champion the retail industry.

Pennycook said: “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.

“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: “The appointment of Richard, a huge figure within the industry, as chairman will offer continuity and help oversee the implementation of the organisation’s future plans at a crucial point for the industry.

“We are witnessing an unprecedented pace of economic and political change and it is the BRC’s role to help inform and shape the emerging public policy debate.

“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.”