Richard Pennycook to become chairman of British Retail Consortium
Richard Pennycook has been appointed to the British Retail Consortium’s board as chairman elect and will become the new BRC chairman on 1 February.
He will succeed Whitbread chairman Richard Baker who has served as BRC chairman since July 2016.
Pennycook recently stepped down as chief executive of the Co-operative Group, having joined in 2013. His 25 years’ experience in retail includes roles with Allders, J D Wetherspoon, Laura Ashley, Welcome Break, and Morrisons.
Previously a non-executive director of Richer Sounds, he is also non-executive chairman of online retailer The Hut Group, chairman of Howdens Joinery and chairman of Fenwicks department stores.
At the BRC, Pennycook will work with the BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson and board members to champion the retail industry and enhance its prospects for growth.
Commenting on the appointment, Dickinson said: “The appointment of Richard, a huge figure within the industry, as chairman will offer continuity and help oversee the implementation of the organisation’s future plans at a crucial point for the industry.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented pace of economic and political change and it is the BRC’s role to help inform and shape the emerging public policy debate.
“I would like to pay enormous tribute to Richard Baker for his contribution as chairman over the past eighteen months during a period of profound change both for our politics and for the BRC, and for his continued support for BRC.”
