Inspiring change. Driving wellbeing innovation. Shaping the future of retail.

The Retail’s Trust’s sixth annual Leaders’ Summit brings together senior retail leaders for a powerful day of insight, innovation and action. This year’s programme is designed to help shape your 2026 wellbeing and engagement strategies with real-world solutions and bold ideas.

10:15 

Welcome

10:20 - 10:50

Keynote: Q&A with Lord Stuart Rose

Gain exclusive insights from one of retail’s most respected voices on leadership, people-first culture and the future of work.

10:50 - 11:40

Bridge the gap: the employees getting left behind in workplace wellbeing

Despite growing investment in workplace wellbeing, the Retail Trust’s Retail People Index reveals a persistent happiness gap – particularly among frontline staff, Gen Z and LGBTQ+ employees. What are the structural and cultural factors contributing to this disparity? What needs to change? And why closing the wellbeing gap is not only a moral responsibility, but business critical for the retail industry.

11:40

Break

12:00 – 12:25

Breakout rooms

Breakout sessions will run on a first come, first served basis. Places are particularly limited in the campfire and the brain space. Once a room reaches capacity, you’ll have a chance to find an alternative session.

The listening room: how inclusive is your recruitment – really?

(Capacity 130)

Disability advocate Claire Farrington, shares her personal journey as a mother to a son with Down’s Syndrome and what the experience taught her about empathy, resilience, and the power of true inclusion. She offers practical insights into how businesses can better support disabled talent and the growing number of employees with caring responsibilities, plus how inclusive hiring not only transforms lives but also enriches store culture, boosts team morale and creates more meaningful customer connections.

The campfire: can AI revolutionise HR?

(Capacity 40)

Pull up a seat as AI experts share real stories and reflections on how AI is reshaping the HR experience – from streamlining admin to unlocking more time for empathy, and connection – how tech can help HR teams do what they do best: support people.

The brain space: performance fuel for your brain

(Capacity 60)

An interactive and fascinating session led by expert coach Lara Milward. Lara will guide us in exploring one of her favourite statements:

“The relationship between these two regions of your brain will determine the quality of your life.”

Do you know which two regions she’s referring to? Do you know which five social needs of the brain influence them?

Come along to find out, fuel your mental muscle, and transform how you lead others and perform under pressure.

12:30 – 12:55

Breakout rooms

The listening room: retail in action - what role should business play in improving national wellbeing?

(Capacity 130)

Sir Charlie Mayfield, former chair of the John Lewis Partnership, shares first-look insights from the Government’s Keep Britain Working review on tackling rising absenteeism, exploring how prevention and early intervention can help retailers retain talent, reduce absence and build a healthier, more resilient workforce – through stronger collaboration between employers and Government.

The campfire: can AI revolutionise HR?

(Capacity 40)

Pull up a seat as AI experts share real stories and reflections on how AI is reshaping the HR experience – from streamlining admin to unlocking more time for empathy, and connection – how tech can help HR teams do what they do best: support people.

The brain space: performance fuel for your brain

(Capacity 60)

An interactive and fascinating session led by expert coach Lara Milward. Lara will guide us in exploring one of her favourite statements:

“The relationship between these two regions of your brain will determine the quality of your life.”

Do you know which two regions she’s referring to? Do you know which five social needs of the brain influence them?

Come along to find out, fuel your mental muscle, and transform how you lead others and perform under pressure.

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00

Let’s Respect Retail

14:15

Are employees your new customers?

In today’s competitive talent market, attracting and retaining top talent goes far beyond pay. The brilliant Bruce Daisley, one of the world’s most influential voices on workplace culture, leads this listen and learn session exploring how workplace experience is becoming as critical as customer experience – and the innovations helping retailers stand out.

14:45

Breaking the last taboo: periods in the workplace

Join a powerful panel of well-known voices as we explore why menstrual health remains one of the final frontiers in the workplace wellbeing. With menopause now firmly on the agenda, this session asks what it will take to make the conversation about periods just as normal – and just as supported – in every workplace.

15:30

Closing remarks

15:40

End

Together with

Thank you to every organisation who supports our event.