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
28 January 2010 : Supermarket Sweep
With my Development Director, John McDermott, up in the north east today presenting to dozens of store managers and HR executives from Tesco, I was presenting our Employee Assistance Programme to executives from Sainsbury's in London.
We have developed a lot since those days of The Linen, Drapers', Silk Mercers', Lacemen's Haberdashers' and Hosiers' Institution. (Snappy title eh)!
From a charity housing retirees from the Drapery trade into the only charity helping current, past and future employees across the whole of the retail sector.
Supermarkets are becoming increasingly important to our work and at the same time are becoming more supportive of us.
Following last year's £25,000 donation from Sainsbury's, Tesco on Monday night pledged £50,000.
27 January 2010 : Top Twenty
The Twenty Club dinner was a fine affair last night with a fair proportion of the attendees having been at the Retail Trust London Ball the previous evening.
Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of John Lewis Partnership was the guest speaker and put forward the argument that "The Partnership" was no longer unique or at least a lot less unique than you would imagine. It is now similar to many businesses.
Others on the table included Christine Watts from Waitrose (formely Asda and Selfridges), Tracy Stone, MD of Gant and Carly Gribble from Exley Hervey who is already "Linkedin" and we are following each other on Twitter.
26 January 2010 : The Best Ever
I have had so many texts, emails and messages this morning saying how amazing last night's London Ball was.
Not only did we raise £1,000,000, we also held the final of Retail Trust Search For A Star with Nicola Cassells from H. Samuel coming out on top.
The support we received from the whole room, containing 1,200 people, was fabulous.
Sir Philip Green ensured we hit our target through his generosity and I have to thank Teresa Tideman, her team at Disney and the whole of her committee for the outstanding job they have done over the past 12 months.
Photos of the event are on our photos page - see them here.
25 January 2010 : Tonight's The Night!
Preparations are well underway for the biggest night in the retail calendar. The Retail Trust London Ball takes place tonight at Grosvenor House with the live final of Retail Trust Search For A Star.
The stage is built and rehersals are underway.
With over 1,200 people, it is due to be a great evening. See last years event (photo above).
After my executive meeting this morning, I will be making my way into London to pace up and down the Great Room while my team create the most amazing set.
Look out for the coverage in the press and I will be reporting the results on Twitter and my Blog.
22 January 2010 : Philip Phones Home
A call from Sir Philip Green this afternoon gave us all a boost.
Philip is coming to the London Ball on Monday night and has agreed to "help" with fundraising.
He was instrumental last year in raising over £600,000 from corporate donations. This year we have taken a different approach and collected donations before the night and filmed the cheques being handed over to our ball Chairman Teresa Tideman.
Voting has now closed for Retail Trust Search For A Star and reopens on the night to see which of our four finalist will be crowned champion.
Don't vote now as your vote will not be counted and you will be charged!
I look forward to seeing 1,200 of you on Monday night - Dig deep!
20 January 2010 : London Ball Future Is Bright With All Star Line Up
As we build up to the biggest retail party of the year, The Retail Trust London Ball, which takes place at Grosvenor House on 25th January, I absolutely delighted to announce the name of the next London Ball chairman.
Leo McKee, CEO of Brighthouse will take over from Teresa Tideman, Joint MD of Disney stores, who has done an outstanding job over the past 12 months.
Leo will join 1,200 retailers on Monday night as Teresa kicks off the evening in style.
The who's who of retail will include: Sir Philip Green, Sir Stuart Rose, Harold Tillman, Rob Templeman, Nick Robertson, Ben Gordon, Brian McBride, Jim McCarthy, Mark Saunders, John King, Don McCarthy, Belinda Earl, Andy Street, Carl McPhail, David Reiss, Paul Marchant, Terry Duddy, Mark Newton-Jones, Hussein Lalani, Mike Clare, Touker Suleyman, Michelle Mone O.B.E., Paul Slater and Theo Paphitis.
In addition we have numerous celebrities also attending including: Bruno Tonioli, Caprice, Same Difference, Anthony Costa, Lisa Maffia, Angela Rippon and Liz McClarnon.
We are hoping to raise over one million pounds on the night that will be used to help and support the three million staff who work in our industry.
19 January 2010 : Centenary buses
100 year old birthdays are like buses...you wait a while for one then a few come around a once! Back in August Miss Hyder, resident on the Mill HiIl estate turned 100, and now Mrs Solomon, resident in the care home on the Crookfur Estate has turned the grand old age of 100 too.
I have been in Crookfur celebrating with Mrs Solomon's family and friends - the first time I've been to a party with visitors spanning a 99 year age gap (including herself and her great grandchildren).
This hopefully goes to show how well we're looking after our residents on all five of our estates. Another centenary birthday coming up in May...
15 January 2010 : Derby Day
Not the perfect start to the day when I got stuck on the M1 motorway on my way to visit our retirement estate in Derby. There was a serious accident that meant the journey took me ten minutes under five hours! Despite that, the day was excellent, spending time with every member of the team and planning the second phase of the modernisation programme.
We are just over a week away from THE retail party of the year. The Retail Trust London Ball that takes place on January 25th at Grosvenor House. We have been filming for the past couple of days in preparation for the big night. With the final of Retail Trust Search For A Star and a host of fundraising initiatives if promises to be a night to remember!
13 January 2010 : Support For Asda Staff
Following the murder earlier today in the car park of Asda's store in Robroyston in Glasgow, it is important to stress that the Retail Trust Helpline 0808 801 0808 is here to support all those who may have been affected by today's tragic event.
Our trained staff are on hand to help in any way and we signpost individuals to the most appropriate people who can help.
If you need us or know someone who does, pick up the phone and make that call.
Retail Trust is here to help you, whatever the problem.
It's totally free, confidential and independant.
12 January 2010 : Retail Scholarships Up For Grabs
Well Christmas is over and the results are rolling in. With a 4.2% like for like increase it is the best Christmas for four years which has been a suprise to many people. What is more certain is the gloomy outlook for 2010. All eyes are on the general election, tax increases and a futher tightening of belts.
Today was all about preparing for tomorrow's Board meeting which has a packed agenda. Next month we will be putting the strategy to bed so tomorrow we will be debating our Employee Assistance Programme together with Marketing and Fundraising.
Up for grabs are seven places at the bssa Masters forum in Oxford, open to senior managers from retail SMEs. The scholarships, provided by Retail Trust and Skillsmart Retail, are worth around £2,000 and the four day residential course is fantastic. Click here to find out more.
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