Conference23

For nearly two decades, Natalie has delivered fresh insights on the trends shaping the global retail sector, with a particular focus on the convergence of physical and digital commerce. She is passionate about how retailers can enhance the customer experience and has co-authored two books on retail, including Amazon: How the World’s Most Relentless Retailer Will Continue to Revolutionize Commerce. Natalie is a regular keynote speaker on the retail conference circuit and, as an objective TV and radio commentator, her views on the future of retail have been published in the FT, Guardian, BBC and The Times, among others. Natalie also writes a guest column for Forbes and Retail Week.

Peter has extensive experience in retail and trading environments, working in a range of senior positions for a number of organisations since starting as a Grad Trainee at Sainsbury’s in 1993. Peter was appointed MD of NISA after 7 years as operations director for the Coop. Some of Peter’s proudest achievements include: receiving the Retail Week Award Diversity Champion Silver Award, taking on the role of Coop Foundation Board Trustee and taking part in the Million Pound Mile for MIND raising over £1million.

Lisa is the head of consumer markets for PwC, with deep experience and expertise on all areas of consumer markets. She leads PwC’s external and internal thinking on consumer and market trends, and has a broad network within the industry. In addition to her industry leadership, she specialises in undertaking financial due diligence for companies undergoing M&A/refinancing across the retail, consumer and leisure sectors.

Claire specialises in delivering enterprise wide cost production, turnaround, change management, organisational improvement in pragmatic and results focused way. Accredited member for the Institute for Turnaround, Claire has over a decade of experience working in industry in retail and now leads the Turnaround and Transformation Retail and Consumer pratice at PwC.
 

Sarah has worked within Tesco Group for over 20 years and has a wide breadth of experience across senior leadership roles. After rising through the ranks of Store and Area leadership, Sarah was appointed Store Director in 2014 and worked across the United Kingdom leading large retail operation teams. She has also worked across several supporting business functions, leading Transformation, Store Support Offices, Customer Service and Process Architecture.

Sarah led the discount facing chain Jack’s as Managing Director and, since June 2022, has held the position of Manging Director for OneStop, responsible for nearly 1000 retail and franchise owned stores across the UK.

She lives in Manchester with her fiancé and 3 children.

Louise joined SPAR during September 2019 and comes to the business with a wealth of international retail experience.

Louise has worked for Walmart in the UK, Canada and Chile in commercial, customer and general management roles. After leaving Walmart Louise was Director of Category and Pricing at Brakes Foodservice, followed by Director of the Customer Offer at the Co-op. It was in this role where she relaunched the Co-op brand across the food ranges and worked on the ‘Closer To You’ strategy supporting the local and community agenda.

Prior to Co-op, Louise was Executive Commercial Director at Card Factory.

Louise Hoste took on the role of chair of the ACS board from 1st November 2021.

James was appointed ACS Chief Executive in November 2006. He has led ACS on political and policy representation, driven a unique research programme that informs ACS’ policy work, launched an industry-leading assured advice scheme in partnership with Surrey County Council, and created a new and unique events programme. James is a member of ministerial advisory groups including the National Retail Crime Steering Group and the Retail Sector Council. He also sits on the boards of Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board, and is a sector leader representative to the High Streets Task Force.