South West law firm Foot Anstey has launched its own retail advisory board – thought to be the first of its kind in the legal sector – offering insight and strategic advice to its clients.
The firm, which has offices in seven cities including Bristol, has recruited industry heavyweights to the advisory board alongside experts from its own property, HR and finance disciplines and members of its retail team. 
Joining the board from the retail industry are Graham Seaton, a retail and leisure property consultant who is heading Ann Summers’ property function and working with the board on its property strategy, and Alison Cross, an HR specialist with Specsavers who most recently worked at senior level in the people team at Halfords. Her retail background also includes HR positions with Tesco and Do-It-All.
The third industry member is Mike Iddon, who has extensive experience in the sector and is currently chief financial officer at Pets at Home, having previously worked for New Look in a similar role.
The firm hopes to add senior representatives from technology, marketing and in-house counsel to the board in due course.
The board is chaired by Foot Anstey partner, head of retail and employment law specialist Patrick Howarth, pictured.
He said: “We’ve launched our retail advisory board to ensure that our approach is always client-centric through understanding what different challenges and regulations could mean for the sector so that we can provide our advice in this context.
“We work with a cross section of Great British retail brands, from food and drink through to fashion and leisure. Following Brexit we’ve entered a period of some uncertainty with challenges and opportunities for the sector.
“It’s never been more important for us to champion and support British business. Our retail advisory board will ensure that we’re thinking through these issues with a view to providing practical and commercial support for our clients.”
Graham Seaton added: “I am really pleased to serve on Foot Anstey’s retail advisory board; this novel move shows their commitment to the sector and drive to understand issues from the client’s perspective.”
Foot Anstey represents a number of major retailers as well as national pub and hotel chains and several high street lenders advancing funds in the sector.
The firm also has offices in Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton, Truro and London.
