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 Polly Jones, Head of Corporate Affairs for Scotland – Asda. 

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
• Polly Jones, Head of Corporate Affairs for Scotland - Asda

Members:

• David Lonsdale, Director - Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC)
• Tony McElroy, Head of Communications and Devolved Government Relations - Tesco
• Meryl Halls, CEO - 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
• Robert Deavy, 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)
• Lucy Brown, Central Operations Director - John Lewis Partnership
• Kyron Keogh, Co-founder and Managing Director - ROX - Diamonds and Thrills
• Laura Mitchell, Head of Retail - Greggs
• Karen Stewart, Centre Manager – Livingston Designer Outlet

Publications

Retail Industry Leadership Group: terms of reference