Retail Industry Leadership Group

Overview

Following publication of Getting the Right Change: A Retail Strategy for Scotland in March 2022, a new Industry Leadership Group (ILG) has been established to drive and support delivery of the strategy actions, in particular on improving fair work across the sector.

The ILG is Co-Chaired by Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment, and Lucy Brown, Central Operations Director - John Lewis Partnership

Membership of the ILG has been established and the first ILG meeting took place on 25 August 2022.

The strategic purpose of the retail ILG will be to:

• deliver an increasingly sustainable retail sector 
• promote the delivery of all aspects of fair work across the sector 
• ensure those working in retail have the skills necessary to be successful

We expect the ILG to focus on delivering the following priority objectives:

• the actions in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation that will directly support the retail sector
• a Fair Work Agreement, which encourages retail businesses to demonstrate their commitment to Fair Work principles
• a skills audit and action plan for the sector, in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and other partners
• a just transition plan for retail to guide the path to net zero

It will agree a delivery plan that sets out how it will deliver its identified priorities as well as a critical review process and timelines for measuring success.

Members

Co-Chairs:

• Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment
• Lucy Brown, Central Operations Director - John Lewis Partnership

Members:

• David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC)
• Tony McElroy, Head of Communications and Devolved Government Relations, Tesco
• Laura McCormack, Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Booksellers Association of the UK/Eire
• Debbie Harding, Chief Corporate Officer, Dobbies Garden Centres
• Colin Smith, Chief Executive, Scottish Wholesale Association
• Andrew McRae, Policy Chair, Federation of Small Business (FSB)
• Reuben Chesters, Project Manager, Locavore
• Sonya Harper, Central Operations Director, CJ Lang and Son
• John McCartney, Scotland Organiser, GMB
• Mo Razzaq, National (UK) Deputy Vice President, National Federation of Independent Retailers
• Dr Pete Cheema OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF)
• Kyron Keogh, Co-founder and Managing Director, ROX - Diamonds and Thrills
• Laura Mitchell, Head of Retail, Greggs

Publications

Retail Industry Leadership Group: terms of reference