As the battle to lead the country hots up, leadership will also be a key theme for fashion retailers this year.

Yesterday as the country shivered under the seemingly unthawing freeze Gordon Brown faced a leadership challenge.

Just days into the new-year he is facing his first almighty challenge and it seems not the last of what is set to be a turbulent 2010.

The Government’s problems and upcoming election will be watched anxiously by retailers who are likely, whatever the outcome, to face raised taxes and interest rates.

As the battle to lead the country hots up leadership will also be a key theme for fashion retailers this year. Marks & Spencer’s new boss Marc Bolland will be scrutinised as he takes the helm in one of the most challenging jobs in retail.

Another big challenge this year will be for Keith Jones, the new JJB Sports chief, who will have an unenviable job of pressing forward with the difficult turnaround of the embattled chain.

Paul Marchant will serve his first year as the boss of Primark now founder Arthur Ryan has stepped down and with floats on the cards for several fashion chains new leaders could be brought in to help face new City scrutiny.

The uncertainty of last year meant there were very few high profile moves as people kept their heads down and got on with the day job. This year is likely to see more movement as confidence in the security of private sector jobs begins to stabilise.

However as Sir Stuart Rose and Simon Wolfson pointed out this week, despite a strong Christmas this year could be just as difficult. Tough times however are the best times to see who are the real competent, strong leaders. For many years weaker leadership was hidden under the smoke of economic growth but as the wave of administrations proved in the last year this can no longer be relied on and sales are no longer so easy to come by.

The leaders of fashion retailers are some of the most well respected and colourful in the country. What other sectors have the likes of Sir Philip Green, Sir Stuart Rose, George Davies and Ted Baker boss Ray Kelvin, whose characters are as vibrant as their careers.

This year will be a great opportunity for new talent to emerge and prove their worth. Downturns often sift out those with the real ability to lead when fortunes flip either way.

The government have not been so adept at doing this but there is no reason retailers- many of whom have coped well in the downturn- cannot continue to prove what real leadership is. 

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