Voices From the Charity Retail Conference 2026: Stronger Together

Lesley Kennedy and Marie Egerton: Creative Recruitment People Strategy in Charity Retail

Who's going to run tomorrow's charity shops? The job market is getting tougher, volunteers are harder to find, and succession planning is becoming a priority for more charities. Charlotte Greenwood and special guest host Hannah Weet from the Charity Retail Association are joined by Lesley Kennedy (RSPCA Derby & District) and Marie Egerton (St Rocco's Hospice) to discuss creative recruitment, attracting the right people, developing future leaders and building stronger retail teams. Packed with practical ideas and real life examples, this episode is full of inspiration for any charity retailer looking to strengthen their people strategy.

Voices From the Charity Retail Conference 2026: Stronger Together

In this special conference edition of Charity Shop Chat, Charlotte is joined by guest co host Hannah Weet from the Charity Retail Association for a whistle stop tour of this year's CRA Conference. Rather than one guest, this episode brings together a whole range of voices from across the sector, delegates, speakers, and exhibitors, sharing their favourite sessions, biggest takeaways, and best ideas from the last two days. Whether you were at the conference with us, listening back afterwards, or couldn't make it this year, tune in for a flavour of the energy, ideas, and conversations shaping charity retail in 2026, and plenty of inspiration to take back to your own shop. The Charity Shop Chat podcast is powered by the Charity Retail Consultancy.

CRA Chief Executive Robin Osterley: A Decade of Charity Retail Leadership

As Robin Osterley OBE prepares to retire as Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, we reflect on a defining chapter in charity retail leadership. In this special episode of Charity Shop Chat, Robin looks back on his years representing thousands of charity shops across the UK, from advocating on business rates and regulation to strengthening benchmarking and professional standards. We explore the sector's evolution and the challenges that still remain in the sector. Robin also shares what he's most proud of, what he thinks his successor will inherit, and why, even as costs rise and AI looms on the horizon, the people who work and volunteer in this sector remain its greatest strength. This is a conversation about leadership and the responsibility of shaping a sector that supports communities and plays a vital role in the circular economy. It is a thoughtful look at what has been achieved, and what comes next. Thank you, Robin, for your decade of dedication. All of us at the CRC wish you a very well earned retirement.

Catriona and Louise: Building a Charity Shop That Puts Community First

This week on Charity Shop Chat, we're joined by Catriona from Hope Kitchen and Louise , shop coordinator at Restore, for an inspiring look at what happens when a group of local people in Oban, Scotland come together to rethink what a charity shop can be. We discuss the community led model behind Restore, how reuse, repair and skills building sit alongside affordable shopping, the realities of running a multi partner social enterprise, and why this kind of collaborative, people first approach feels so relevant for the future of charity retail.

Julia Edwards and Anna Pashley: The Charity Retail Conference Everyone Will Be Talking About

This week on Charity Shop Chat, we're joined by Julia Edwards and Anna Pashley from the Charity Retail Association for a preview of this year's CRA Conference. We discuss the biggest themes shaping charity retail, what delegates can expect from this year's programme, the value of workshop learning streams and why the conference remains such an important opportunity for networking, inspiration and sector learning.