Retail & Leisure Leadership Bulletin - June 2020

July 2020

Berwick Bulletin: Retail & Leisure Leadership

Since the last bulletin in March, the retail and leisure sectors have faced enormous and unprecedented challenges like so many sectors. A global health pandemic, followed by a global diversity crisis continues to test our leaders. But whilst in these difficult times, we have sadly seen the demise of a number of much-loved brands we have also seen a rise in innovation, collaboration, and community spirit. As we emerge out of lockdown into the ‘new normal’ leaders will need to continue to build on these positives.

Alka Gandhi
Head of Berwick Partners' Retail Leadership Practice

Gender equality in hospitality, travel & leisure – What effect will the pandemic have?

Tea Colaianni is Chair and Founder of WiHTL - Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure, an organisation devoted to increasing women's and ethnic minorities' representation at all levels and in leadership positions across Hospitality, Travel and Leisure (HTL).We recently spoke with Tea regarding the longer term impact the pandemic will have on gender equality in the sector...Read more

Crisis and beyond with Amanda Cox, People & Stores Director of Dunelm

We spoke with Amanda Cox, Stores & People Director of Dunelm, one of the UK’s leading retail brands about her experiences and learnings through the COVID-19 crisis, the role of HR and the opportunities that the pandemic has created. Amanda believes that future success lies in businesses being braver and willing to do the right thing...Read more

Mental health - The impact of enforced working from home

Mental health and well-being have been at the top of the agenda for the majority of organisations, particularly in the last two years. But what happens when you are told that, not only do you ‘have’ to work from home, but you must ‘stay’ at home? However valid and necessary the reason, as demonstrated by COVID-19, there will no doubt be varying degrees of impact on the mental health and well-being of a number of people...Read more

Hospitality & COVID-19 - A view from Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson is the Chairman of private equity house Risk Capital Partners LLP and former Chairman of Channel 4 Television. Kathryn Gill, Consultant in our Leisure & Hospitality practice, recently spoke with Luke about his opinion on the Government response to the pandemic, how this affects the industry, and the industry’s relationship with Private Equity...Read more

Business Leaders forum, with the Institute of Directors

The Institute of Directors is one of the strongest business voices in the UK, alongside the Confederation of British Industry, Make UK, British Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Business. Berwick Partners were delighted to host an online event for thirty business leaders with guest speaker Jonathan Geldart, Director General, of the Institute of Directors...Read more

Will 2020 be the year that redefines the role of supply chain and its future leaders?

Highly competitive market conditions and disruptive technologies are changing the face of traditional business models and revolutionising employee and consumer expectations. At our first HR Leadership dinner of 2020, 85% of the 35 HR leaders who attended said that they were currently going through some sort of business transformation...R ead more