John Lewis chairman to succeed Sir Ian Cheshire as BRC chair

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has announced that Sir Charlie Mayfield will take the reins as chair of the trade association this autumn.

Charlie will start his term of office as vice chair in May and then take over as chair when Sir Ian Cheshire stands down at the end of September after a two-year term. Charlie is chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, long-standing members of the BRC.

Charlie says: "I am very much looking forward to working with Ian for the next six months and then chairing the BRC as we continue to modernise and campaign on behalf of the whole industry. Building on the great work the BRC has led over recent years, it is critical that we continue to have a strong and effective trade association to galvanise retail employers and attract the very best new talent from across society into retail."

Helen Dickinson, director general, says: "We’re extremely pleased that Charlie is to become our new chair. The experience and leadership he brings will be essential as we continue to represent retail at its best. At the same time, we owe a very large debt of thanks to Ian for his guidance, insight and support as our chair, during which time the BRC has undergone yet further transformation. We are especially grateful for Ian’s support for the retail industry’s business rates campaign which goes from strength to strength and I would like to add my personal thanks for his support in my first year as director general."

Charlie joined the John Lewis Partnership as head of business development in 2000. He was appointed to the Board one year later as development director. He was appointed MD of John Lewis in 2005. In 2007, he was appointed deputy chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, and in March became the fifth chairman.

Charlie will replace current chair Sir Ian Cheshire.

Source : Paul Farley - Furniture News
www.furniturenews.net/news/articles/2014/03/524611244-john-lewis-chairman-helm-brc