Sir Terry Leahy



Sir Terry Leahy addressed delegates with a speech explaining the importance of retail to communities and local economies and the benefits it delivers in terms of driving social mobility and enterprise. The Tesco Chief Executive asserted that by being responsive to consumer demand and embracing competition, the UK’s supermarket and retail businesses have ensured that customers have access to a choice of healthy food and value for money products and services.

But above and beyond providing a range of affordable consumer goods, Sir Terry outlined the significant contribution that retail plays in the lives of people across the country in terms of investing in jobs and training. Echoing the aims of the BCSC Sustainability Charter - which sets out four industry aspirations for environmental and social sustainability - Sir Terry pointed to the responsibility of retailers towards fighting the impact of climate change and engaging with their local communities.