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
17 December 2009 : Carol Service Triumph
A huge thank you to the staff and pupils of Southlands School for an inspiring Carol Service at Boldre Church today.
The time effort and enthusiasm that you all put in was tangible and clear for all to see.
Not that I have any favourites, however, Harry Rothband's reading of "A star in the sky" was fabulous!
Merry Christmas to you all.
16 December 2009 : Famous Four
The final four have been announced for Retail Trust Search For A Star.
They represent Disney Stores, River Island, H Samuel and Early Learning Centre. Well done to Victoria, Leanne, Nicola and Louise.
Their details and audition clips can be viewed here.
Watch this space for more details.
15 December 2009 : Mary Walker RIP
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our oldest resident.
Mary Walker died peacefully in her sleep over the weekend in our care home in Glasgow.
She was 107.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary's family and friends.
14 December 2009 : Too Close To Call
The top 50 acts for Retail Trust Search For A Star need your votes!
The voting text lines close tomorrow at 11.59 p.m. The top four acts will be contacted on Thursday morning and will go on to play at our London Ball at Grosvenor House, Park Lane on the night of 25th January 2010 to see who will be crowned Retail Trust Search For A Star Champion 2010.
There has been a huge uplift in votes over the past 24 hours so vote for your favourite to make sure they make it to the final four.
11 December 2009 : Eric the HAM becomes DG
Many congratulations to Eric Musgrave the former Editorial Director of Drapers on becoming Director General of the UK Fashion and Trade Association (formely the British Clothing Industry Association).
Eric, as a former trustee of Retail Trust, is one of the charity's Honarary Associate Members.
10 December 2009 : Salford Opens
Our fifth retirement estate opened today in sunny Salford. Over 100 people gathered in the community centre to celebrate. We will be putting photos on the website soon.
Distinguished guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Salford, our Life President J.M. Barry Gibson, Dr. John Wilkinson O.B.E., Dudley Cloake our Chairman and the guest of honour Mr. John Moores C.B.E., D.L.
After a couple of speeches John Moores officialy opened the new facility and lunch was served followed by tours of the estate.
A huge thank you and well done to Debbie and her team in Salford for a fantastic occassion.
It was best summed up by one of our trustees who sent me an email, having talked to the residents, describing how our residents felt, an extract from the email is below.
1. When they first heard of the Retail Trust they were concerned/worried/apprehensive.
2. Throughout the building period they were bothered/annoyed/concerned/troubled/calmed/confused.
3. Today each of them said quite clearly they would not want to live anywhere else.
4. Their friends when visiting are envious.
5. They are glad the Retail Trust came in.
6. They are happy.
Enough said!
09 December 2009 : Meeting with M & S (That's Mike and Stevens)
Another trip to the Paddington head office of Marks & Spencer this afternoon to meet with Mike Barry and Georgina Stevens.
The guys are going to work with us to ensure the message of the Retail Trust offer gets across to the M & S team.
There are so many opportunities for us to work together. Our Employee Assistance Programme, Our Fundraising Events and Retail Trust Search For A Star. M & S have five acts in the final 50 and the lead is changing all the time so we explained to the guys that they need to get the M & S team behind their acts!
08 December 2009 : Silent Auction Goes Live
The Retail Trust London Ball at Grosvenor House on January 25th 2010 is the biggest retail party of the year and we are heading for a fantastic night.
Not only will there be 1,200 of the leading retailers in the room, there will be fundraising, great food, dancing and the live final of Retail Trust Search For A Star.
One of our traditional fundraising efforts on the night is the silent auction. For the first time in our history the auction is on line before the event to create even more interest and I am delighted to say that we already have bids on 40 of the 50 lots.
07 December 2009 : The Art of Retail
Every other year we have put on a photographic exhibition featuring the leading retail chief executives. The exhibition has also produces a book that we sell. The first exhibition asked our leaders to give the best piece of advice they have received or given and the last exhibition featured a desert island discs type questionnaire that gave us an interesting perspective. Their pictures are framed together with their quote/questionnaire. I am keen to have another exhibition next year and we are starting to plan something a bit different. The amazing Steve Edge is helping us come up with some ideas and it is always inspiring when we spend time together. It was great to meet up with Steve again today.
Look out for details of the next Art of Retail exhibition that will take place in the Autumn of 2010.
05 December 2009 : Who's Kissing Santa?
Well done to Frances and the whole team at our estate in Mill Hill for putting on a fabulous Christmas Fair today.
There were stalls, raffles, refreshments and Santa turned up too!
We had a chat and I even managed to give him a kiss - I love santa!
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