Nigel's Blog
Hi, I'm Nigel the Chief Executive of Retail Trust.
The coming year will be a time of growth and change for Retail Trust. The charity will be working more closely than ever with organisations in the retail sector as we cement ourselves as the charity committed to the well-being of employees in the retail industry.
Part of working more closely with the industry is communication. Technology allows me to communicate with you through this blog – spelling mistakes and all! So please feel free to email me on the Contact page with feedback, ideas, or just to swap stories about our blogs. Enjoy!
You can read my biography on our Trustees and Chief Executive page.
Nigel J L Rothband
Chief Executive
Read Nigel's Blog
23 June 2010 : Scotland in the City
What a fabulous night at the Harvey Nichols Edinburgh "Midsummer in the City" event in aid of Retail Trust.
A huge thank you to Gordon Drummond and his team for putting on a fantastic show. The evening would not have been possible without the support of Lime Blue Diamond Store and the hard graft of our very own Elspeth Campbell.
Retail Trust Search For A Star winner Nicola Cassells did a "turn" as did Glasgow comedienne Janey Godley. The fashion show was spectacular and I can't decide if my favourite item was the £935 YSL patent logo clutch bag or the Lanvin couture dress for £1,630!
An early train back saw me back in London to ensure the Board pack is ready to go out as well as meetings with Barnet council and the amazing Carol Popplewell who is keen to help Retail Trust in some way.
15 June 2010 : Scottish Forum
What a brilliant night at Hotel du Vin in Glasgow last night. Twelve Scottish retail CEOs for the Retail Trust Forum dinner.
I was only one of three Englishmen and therefore there was not much talk of World Cup football. However, my favourite story of the night was that Fabio Capello gave Robert Green extra training today where after four hours and over 3,000 shots he never let one goal in. Fabio was very pleased indeed and afterwards at the press conference said that he can now start training with the rest of the team, and not just Emil Heskey.
Today is being spent at our Glasgow estate with our residents and the team. John Wilson our Scottish Trustee is popping in this morning to review activities.
08 June 2010 : Top Tesco Tweet On Twitter
My Tweet on Twitter this morning announcing Sir Terry Leahy's retirement from Tesco was timed at 07.54 which was ahead of BBC News - 8.00. Tim Danaher - 8.26, Retail Week - 8.41 and Drapers - 8.49.
Sir Terry has done an outstanding job during his 15 years with the grocer and will be a hard act to follow.
I know, from the dealings we have with Tesco, that things do not stand still there, they either move forward or move back and depending on which one it is action is taken.
Yesterday and today has been back to back interviews for the BHF/bssa Oxford Summer School scholarships. Some great candidates for the 10 places up for grabs.
I am off to Manchester in the morning to meet my old friend James Timpson. We will talk about the work Retail Trust does in partnership with Timpson's, particularly our Employee Assistance Programme. I hope we can find time to indulge in our shared passion too, Manchester City F.C.
03 June 2010 : Win the World Truck!
Argos are running a "Win the World Truck" and are offering the chance for a charity to win £5,000 of Argos products. Please click here and nominate Retail Trust and not only will you be helping Retail Trust but you will also be in line to win the same prize yourself.
I spent this morning with Carl McPhail the CEO of New Look talking about their fabulous "Foundation" and the work of Retail Trust. New Look are great supporters of ours and the conversation will strengthen their support. We also had the opportunity to talk about the hugely dissapointing season that Manchester United have just had and the amazing rise of the mighty Manchester City.
This afternoon we had our Grants and Services Committee meeting that is made up of HR executives from around the retail community. This committee agrees strategy and signs off the £1M of grants we give out each year.
Miri Newman, our events executive, is off to get married. Best of luck and Mazel Tov to Miri and Lee. Wishing you good health and happiness, forever.
02 June 2010 : London Ball and Matalan Golf Fundraising Ahead Of Last Year
There are only four days left before the 10% discount dissapears for the booking of London Ball tables! See details here.
We have sold over 300 tickets for the London Ball which is way ahead of the same time last year. A huge thank you to Leo McKee and his committee.
I Met Fred Payne the Chief Executive of The Bankers Benevolent Fund (yes they do what it says on the tin). We have a lot in common and it was good to share some common issues and see how we might work together in the future.
Tomorrow sees the Matalan Golf event in aid of Retail Trust with fundraising up on last year. Thanks to Alistair McGeorge and his team up there for their continued support.
28 May 2010 : Ball is Pants
What a great night last night at the Contour Ball at the Park Lane Hotel. It looks as though we have raised around £40,000 between Retail Trust and TICT. A huge thank you and well done to Sharon Webb from Debenhams and her outstanding committee who did a fantastic job. We had around 100 more people in the room than last year.
We had some amazing guests there - see all the photos by clicking here
Guests included Michele Mone OBE from Ultimo and Deborah Fleming founder of Pistol Panties - Great name for a company and Deborah tells me it was not her stage name when she was a stripper, the name simply poppped into her head one day when she was cycling along!
26 May 2010 : The Future's Bright
A huge thank you to Leo McKee and his team at Brighthouse for an outstanding conference up in Birmingham yeaterday. It was so refreshing to spend a whole day at a retail conference and only see one slide on screen! According to Andy Parkinson, the retail director, he tried to get rid of that one too!
The theme was "will to win" and included contributions from sporting icons including Sally Gunnell OBE and Bill Beaumont.
Leo did a fantastic job in explaining the work of Retail Trust to the team of store and regional managers.
Nicola Cassells, the winner of Retail Trust Search For A Star, earned a standing ovation when she performed during the conference that allowed us to promote this year's competition.
It is great to be working in partnership with such an amazing business that is expanding so rapidly.
On the entertainment front in the evening, Olly Murs sang a few tunes and had the gilrs all up dancing. I didn't vote for him on the X Factor.
21 May 2010 : Confessions of A Charity Chief Executive
I have spent more time away from the business than in the business this week so I will try to combine all my thoughts in one Blog entry.
It's been Retail Trust Week this week with activities around the country involving thousands of employees. Retail Trust staff have got involved too. Crookfur staff (including some residents) have been packing bags at the checkout in M & S Breahead in aid of Retail Trust Week. I don't know the final figure although I understand it is into the "hundreds of pounds".
Look out for the "Confessions" page in next week's Womenswear Buyer Magazine. I have been interviewed and there were some interesting questions..........and answers. Who is the last person you have seen naked? I didn't answer my wife! When did you last break the law? See next week's magazine for all my confessions.
Today I chaired our Health & Safety Committee Meeting on the hottest day of the year so far. Very good meeting and fantastic progress has been made by the team.
London Ball table sales are well up on this time last year! We are on track to have a record attendance. Book early to take advantage of the early bird discount.
13 May 2010 : Need help or want to help us?
Very much looking forward to the Guardian online career forum tomorrow. Helping grads. looking for a career in retail with handy hints and tips. If you know anyone who may need some help, get them to join in by clicking here.
This weekend will see our advert, for three new Trustees, in the Sunday Times and in the trade press. This is a vital role in helping us deliver our objectives. If you are interested or know someone who might be then the details are here.
11 May 2010 : An Evening With Nigel Rothband
As the politicians continue to talk about forming a new government life continues for the rest of us.
There has been a flurry of activity around Mill Hill over the past few days, Westminster is not the only place to be busy.
Our Board meeting tomorrow will be followed by a lunch for three retiring Trustees. Andy Meehan, John Dean and Ian McGarrigle are leaving the Board and I thank them for their commitment and dedication over many years.
An advert will be apearing on our website and in the weekend's Sunday Times for three Trustee vacancies. We are looking for a Treasurer, someone with Housing experience and an individual with Fundraising and Marketing experience. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, then get in touch.
After the Board meeting and lunch I have an interview with a journalist from The Times who is doing a feature on charities that support different industries. I'll post it on the Blog once it is printed.
Two other exciting events happening over the next few weeks. I am taking part in the online Guardian Carer Forum on Friday afternoon this week and have been asked to speak at the London Fashion Network at the Sanctum Hotel in London on 29th June. It is entitled "An Evening with Nigel Rothband". If you want to know what it might be like then give my wife a call!
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