TheRetailer_Autumn_2019

NEWS FROM THE BRC

Spotlight on:

William Bain Policy Advisor, Europe and International british Retail Consortium

Tell us a bit about your role at BRC? I lead our work on guiding members through Brexit and helping them understand what the UK’s future trade arrangements with Europe and the rest of the world will mean for their supply chains and businesses. This means close working with key officials in the UK and EU to get the best insight and intelligence around the Brexit deal to inform retailers how they overcome future technical hurdles and take any opportunities from new trade deals. What was your background before joining? I have a legal background and was a lecturer in law at a University but before joining the BRC I was an MP in Glasgow. My legal background combined with my knowledge of how Parliament works has really helped me to get to grips with the politics of Brexit and what new regulations and border controls will mean in practical terms for our members. What are your priorities for the next 6 months? Currently it has to be advising members about the likelihood of a no deal Brexit and how they can best prepare. Hopefully we will get agreement on an orderly Brexit. Once that is agreed I can then help advise members what the UK’s relationship with the EU will be when we leave and what it means for their supply chains. If you could advise retailers to do one thing before October 31st what would it be? Step 1 has to be join the BRC. The Brexit community I run is the best-informed group in the country and I know how valuable our work has been in helping members get a head start in Brexit. Step 2 is to prepare for all eventualities and that includes, currently at least, no deal and that is where our checklist can help retailers understand the range of issues to tackle.

All BRC retail members can join our Brexit community.

Your Brexit Resource Centre

10 | autumn 2019 | the retailer