The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has named Amanda Callaghan as its new corporate affairs director.
Ms Callaghan has plenty of experience leading public affairs and communications activity in membership organisations, and was until recently the director of corporate affairs at The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Before then, she spent nine years at the Royal College of Nursing as director of communications, and let the 'Nursing Counts' campaign to influence policy outcomes at the 2010 general election.

Ms Callaghan replaces Jane Bevis, who is leaving the BRC to set up her own communications and corporate responsibility consultancy.

BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Amanda as she starts in this pivotal role. Amanda joins us at a very exciting and busy time on the public affairs front.

"We continue to engage with the governments across the UK as well as the media on the hugely valuable contribution retailers continue to make to the UK economy against a challenging backdrop, and highlighting how the chancellor can help support consumers and retail growth and investment in the lead-up to the Budget.

"I would also like to thank Jane Bevis for all her hard work and leadership with the BRC's public affairs function over the past five years and in providing us with interim cover. We wish her every success for the future."

Amanda Callaghan said: "I'm delighted to be starting in this dynamic sector at such a critical point in the year. I'm looking forward to working closely with the BRC team and its members to ensure that we're providing a united voice on the issues that matter to retailers."