Following the retirement of Alan Hawkins – who has been at the helm of the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) for 33 years – the association has appointed Andrew Goodacre, previously with the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) as its new ceo.
Commenting on his appointment Andrew said: “bira has a strong history of supporting independent retailers and these retailers need our help and support more than ever. I will work hard to bring stability to bira, building on its strengths and using all my experience to grow the membership.”
Andrew brings a wealth of experience within the membership organisation sector, having held the role of ceo at the RLA since 2013, and a senior position at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), prior to that. He also gained significant experience while working in the hospitality sector.
Having increased membership at the RLA and having implemented campaigns that raised the profile of small businesses with national and local governments at the FSB, the bira committee behind his appointment are confident they have the right person for the role.
“Andrew’s appointment comes at a crunch point within retail,” commented Chris Patterson of Pattersons Catering and Cleaning Supplies in Bristol, who led the recruitment committee. “With the rise of online shopping, the disproportionate and unfair business rates system, ever-increasing pressures on retailers, alongside Alan’s retirement, now more than ever we need strong leadership from our trade association.”
He continued: “Andrew’s rich experience of lobbying government and increasing membership levels will help put bira at the centre of the high street debate, while his relaxed collaborative style will encourage engagement from both members and staff alike to ensure independent retailers cannot just survive, but thrive once more.”
Andrew will formally take up his position in October, following a month as ceo designate working alongside outgoing Alan Hawkins.
Top: Outgoing bira ceo Alan Hawkins (centre) is shown with the team outside bira’s HQ in Birmingham.
