Retail Trust appoints Sainsbury’s and Amazon directors to trustee board

Clements is chief retail, logistics and supply chain officer at Sainsbury’s, while Birch is Amazon’s director for EU Fresh.

They join the trust’s board, which includes Landsec managing director for retail Bruce Findlay, former New Look executive chair Alistair George and Matalan’s former chief customer and omnichannel officer Ali Jones.

Holland & Barrett chief executive Anthony Houghton joined the Trust as a trustee and non-executive director last year.

Tracey Clements has held senior leadership positions at Tesco and was chief operating officer at Boots UK and Ireland and senior vice-president of mobility and convenience Europe at BP, before joining Sainsbury’s operating board in September last year.

Matt Birch leads Amazon’s Fresh Grocery business across Europe and previously held senior leadership roles with Sainsbury’s and the Central Co-op.

He is also a trustee of the Felix Project, London’s largest food distribution charity.

Clements said: “I’m delighted to be joining the board of the Retail Trust as a trustee. It’s a charity with a long and proud history, but what really excites me is its clear focus on the future of the retail frontline workforce, supporting people not just through today’s challenges but in building resilience, wellbeing and opportunity for the years ahead.”

Birch said: “Supporting the people who power our industry is something I care deeply about. I’m honoured to be joining the Retail Trust’s board of trustees, helping contribute to their important work championing the wellbeing of retail colleagues across the UK.”

Retail Trust chief executive Chris Brook-Carter said: “Our charity provided vital support to tens of thousands of retail workers across the country last year, and we’re extremely grateful to be welcoming Tracey and Matt to the Retail Trust as we carry on with work to help even more people in 2026.

“Tracey and Matt have fantastic track records in developing and leading teams across the retail sector and will play an important role in ensuring the Retail Trust continues to evolve at pace and meet the needs of the entire retail workforce, alongside our other trustees.”