Helen Dickinson
Helen Dickinson is chief executive of trade body the British Retail Consortium (BRC), whose mission is “to make a positive difference to retail, its customers and the community, today and in the future, by influencing change”.
The BRC’s membership includes many of the UK’s 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.
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 – and urges retailers to make their voices heard
Opinion‘It’s time for government to make some good choices for retail’
Retail didn’t feature in the government’s 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
Opinion‘Traders from outside the UK may take advantage of our rules to sell displaced US stock’
As tariffs dominate the headlines, action is needed to stop stock ‘dumping’ in the UK says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
Opinion‘On Covid’s five-year anniversary, remember the retail staff who worked day in, day out’
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 shopworkers’ union boss Paddy Lillis pay tribute to them and make a plea for respect
Opinion‘Retail prices will rise as the pressures from the Budget take effect’
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
Opinion‘How retailers operate will change post-Budget as they confront new economic reality’
‘Last week’s 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
Opinion‘Government commitments are welcome but now it’s about turning words into action’
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
Opinion‘One new government bill has sparked more debate and concern among retail leaders than others’
There are legitimate questions to be answered about some of the bills in the King’s Speech, but engagement is key to shape policy, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
Opinion‘What should retailers do in response to more riots in the coming days?’
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
Opinion‘Now it’s all about the government’s follow-through on the commitments that matter to retail’
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.
Opinion‘It will take a combined effort from retail to win over politicians of all stripes’
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
Opinion‘We need a government that offers business leaders a seat at the table’
Retail needs to see joined-up government thinking that understands you cannot increase costs from every angle all at once, says the BRC’s Helen Dickinson
Opinion‘The retail industry was largely sold out by the chancellor’
While the dust has settled on the chancellor’s autumn statement, the frustration felt by many retailers has not, says BRC boss Helen Dickinson
Opinion‘Everyone should sign the petition calling on government to fight retail crime’
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
Opinion‘The government must end its scapegoating of retailers’
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
Opinion‘Packaging rules are changing and the bill is likely to be substantial’
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
Opinion‘The next few months will be challenging, but we’re reaching the eye of the storm’
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
Opinion‘Putting sustainability at the heart of retail isn’t virtue signalling, it’s vital’
It would not make sense for retailers to cut their focus on and investment in sustainable business, argues BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
Opinion‘Retailer focus is on how to help customers caught in cost-of-living crunch’
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.
OpinionHelen Dickinson: ‘As war and cost of living dominate headlines, doing the right thing has never been more important’
Supporting colleagues through difficult times and protecting customers from the full shock of rising costs is vital to building and retaining loyalty, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.