BIRA CEO Andrew Goodacre has devoted his career to strengthening Britain’s high streets and the communities they support. Since taking over BIRA’s leadership in 2018, Andrew has expanded membership by nearly a third, by ensuring the needs of independent retailers are heard by government decision makers.

Andrew has appeared before numerous parliamentary select committees to present evidence on a range of high street concerns – from the impact of the pandemic to supply chain inflation. His representations were pivotal in paving the way for the 2019 Retail Rates Discount, which greatly reduced the tax burden on smaller retailers.

Andrew represents BIRA on the Department of Business Retail Sector Council and serves as a member of the British Retail Consortium’s Policy Board and the Welsh Retail Council.

Prior to leading BIRA, Andrew spent many years in the hospitality industry, which helped to reinforce his belief of the importance of local high streets to the fabric of local communities and their contribution to the government’s levelling-up agenda.

He started his career in hospitality, spending 25 years working in the retail divisions of national breweries and pub companies.

Andrew was also formerly a member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) before becoming the CEO of the Residential Landlords Association in 2013.