Former Matalan-CEO, Jo Whitfield CBE, has been appointed as the new British Retail Consortium (BRC) Chair, succeeding Andy Higginson when his tenure comes to an end in October 2025.
With 25 years’ experience in retail, including leadership roles at Matalan, and Co-op, Whitfield is currently a NED at Asda. She previously founded and chaired The Grocery Girls network and was an advisor and retail sector lead on the Women’s Business Council. Whitfield also played a leading industry role campaigning alongside the BRC to achieve better safety recognition and a change to the law to protect frontline retail staff and shopworkers.
“I’m honoured to be joining the BRC as its first female Chair at such a pivotal time,” said Jo Whitfield, BRC Chair-elect. “Retail is an incredibly valuable industry, employing over 3million people. It’s also uniquely inclusive and many of us have built our careers from the shop floor or from working-class backgrounds, rising into leadership roles and enjoying fulfilling careers.”
“Retailers are at the heart of communities, and we’re acutely aware of the many government policies currently under consideration that could either support or hinder our industry. This is a critical moment for us all and now more than ever, we need a strong, united voice.”
Jo Whitfield, Chair-elect, BRC
Jo will be joined by Eve Williams as a new NED on the BRC Board. Williams is VP and GM of eBay UK and previously held executive roles at online fashion retailer, ASOS.
“Jo and Eve join the Board as we deal with multiple public policy headwinds and more to do on big issues like climate change, inclusion, and creating the right environment for growth and investment,” said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC. “I know how passionate they both are on these areas and particularly on people, so it’s great to welcome two more women to our Board and our first female Chair.
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