ACS are delighted to announce additional speakers for our line-up of industry experts that will be presenting at Heart of the Community, our biggest political event of the year.
Heart of the Community will be taking place on the 2nd September at the Attlee Suite in the House of Commons, which will feature an exclusive address from the New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe, and speeches from High Streets Minister Alex Norris MP and Shadow Local Government Secretary Kevin Hollinrake MP.
We will also be launching the 2025 Local Shop Report on the day. We are excited to confirm that our line-up of speakers at Heart of the Community will be joined by Simon Eastwood, Victoria Lockie, and Jack Matthews on our expert panel who will be discussing the findings of the report and what they mean for our sector.
Our full list of confirmed speakers for Heart of the Community include:
- Rachel Cunliffe – Associate Political Editor, the New Statesman
- Alex Norris MP – Minister for Local Growth and High Streets
- Kevin Hollinrake – Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Michael Wheeler - MP for Worsley and Eccles
- Simon Eastwood - Chief Operating Officer, Southern Co-operative
- Victoria Lockie - Head of Wholesale - Strategic Projects & Acquisitions, Morrisons
- Jack Matthews - Member of ACS Independent Board & Leading retailer, Bradley's Supermarket
Additionally, a Government Minister will be presenting the 2025 Raj Aggarwal Trophy for outstanding community retailing on the day. Submissions for the trophy close soon on the 19th June, so if you would like to nominate yourself or another retailer who you think has demonstrated exceptional commitment to community retailing over the last year, you can fill out the form here.
The conference will be followed by an exclusive parliamentary drinks reception on the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion, where retailers will have the chance to meet their MP.
Book your place for Heart of the Community here.
