Vivienne King is stepping down as chief of retail organisation Revo after less than a year in post.
The organisation can no longer afford King, who only took up the post in April, following a 50% hit on income in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. She will leave the organisation in January.
Revo will now be run on a voluntary basis.
In a note to members, incoming chair Tim Vallance said that the “unparalleled pressures” caused by the pandemic had meant that Revo would have to change in 2021.
He said that the cancellation of its annual conference and other events wiped out 50% of the organisation’s revenue, meaning that Revo was “no longer in a position to operate” as it had before.
The group said members would continue to campaign for the industry through a newly established retail board, run by the British Property Federation. The BPF Retail Board will comprise a cross-section of senior retail property industry leaders, which will set the agenda for retail property with a dedicated committee structure.
Vallance paid personal thanks to King, who he said despite only joining in April had “ensured Revo’s campaigning voice has continued to be heard louder than ever before and for her tireless efforts, against all odds, to bring the organisation through to this point”.
“We are sad to see her go,” he added.
During her tenure, King has campaigned hard for retail property, playing a key role in industry reaction to the business rates reform, the reopening of retail on 2 December and in creating the code of practice on rent and service charge payment.
“From small beginnings in 1983 Revo has grown to more 1,400 members, and together we have made the retail property sector a voice to be reckoned with,” said Vallance.
“All of that work will be retained in the new organisation. I am convinced that with the input of its members, Revo can remain a relevant forum and help members of the industry share ideas, grow their businesses and learn from each other, while acting as a positive force as communities evolve and adapt to the challenges ahead.”
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