The RetailTrust has existed since 1832 and in that time has helped countless retail staff who have fallen on hard times. The charity has a strong presence in Scotland, but it doesn’t just exist for high street chains – local retailers and their staff could benefit from its services.
by David Heywood, Communications Manager, Retail Trust
There are over 4.5million people working the retail sector and related industries. Retail Trust, founded in 1832, is the leading charity the looks after all the people in retail. From international brands to independent retailers Retail Trust have services to help everybody.
The retailHUB helpline team ensures our clients get the best information and advice on what’s right for them. We achieve this by partnering up with other charities and non-profit organisations so that we can give our clients access to all the sources and groups that may be of help, not just Retail Trust.
The retailHUB can provide free access to:
- Emotional support via telephone counselling
- Legal advice
- Debt help
- Career services including redundancy support, course funding and career coaching
- Financial assistance via hardship grants.
Year of Expansion: New Chair
2014 has been an exceptional year for Retail Trust. Fundraising experienced an 18% growth in gross revenue terms, and at the net distributable level was up 69% year on year. This remarkable fund raising effort enabled the Charity to grow its grants and services by over 20% year on year.
Terry Duddy, who recently stepped down from his role as chief executive of the Home Retail Group after 15 years has been appointed Chair of the charity. Duddy will lead a board that will include prominent individuals from the industry. Nigel Duxbury of AS Watson and Michael Green of BCSC have recently joined the board and bring highly relevant property skills whilst Lindsay Page of Ted Baker is set to join in the coming month. Other appointments will follow in due course.
Duddy stated his delight at becoming Chair of Retail Trust and gave special praise to John Lovering, the retiring Chair of the charity.
He said: “I am delighted to be appointed Chair of Retail Trust at a time when demand for our services is greater than ever. During John’s stewardship the Charity has undergone significant change and the future is about evolving further our products and services to support the 4.5 million people who work in retail and the supporting services and related industries.”
retailCORe – developing careers
Retail Trust has invested significantly in the development of its educational programmes including retailRIGHT, their NEETS programme (for young disadvantaged people looking to work in the retail sector) where over 27% of the trainees were rewarded with jobs immediately following completion of the programme. The further commitment to education in retail and the future careers of young retailers has advanced with more than £130,000 being awarded in scholarships and bursaries through ongoing relationships with Oxford Summer School, the Fashion Retail Academy and other higher education institutions. retailRIGHT is expected to launch in Scotland later this year.
Richard Boland, Chief Executive of Retail Trust, commented: “Through programmes like retailRIGHT we are reaching out to the grassroots and helping young NEETs gain vital experience in our industry. Rolling out the programme across the UK promises to engage retailers and be a positive, creative force in young people’s lives.”
retailCURe – a credit union for retailers
The charity has been the first mover in the support, development and backing of retailCURe, the credit union for retail, which will launch in 2015. The new venture has received start-up funding of £1m and is backed by some of the UK’s largest retailers including New Look, Next, Booker, Matalan and Rymans’ owner Theo Paphitis.This new credit union will enable retailers to ensure that their employees can access trusted, safe and affordable credit, savings and insurance products. Financially stable employees are more likely to retain their jobs and experience less stress-related ill health.
retailCURe will be chaired by John Lovering, a veteran retailer who has led buyouts of companies including Debenhams, Homebase and Somerfield.
The UK’s largest retail charity hopes to launch retailCURe in late 2014 or early 2015. More funding is being sought both from industry corporates and individuals within the sector.
retailCURe have estimated that they can reach a loan-book of £50m and attract at least 50,000 members in its early years.
