Retra Conference 2023

A Sustainable Industry

17 October 2023 at Double Tree by Hilton, Coventry.

This year’s Retra Conference will see the industry coming together for an informative and thought-provoking day with an impressive line-up of guest speakers who will be  covering topics including sustainability, electric vehicles, recycling and the future of the high street.

Meet the Retra Conference 2023 Speakers


Keynote speaker: Steve Fowler
Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express
Paul Hide
AMDEA CEO
Nick Simon
GfK’s client insight director, consumer electronics

The 2023 Retra Conference will be hosted by the popular journalist and broadcaster Declan Curry (pictured right), who has been reporting on business, the economy and politics for almost 30 years, and appears frequently as a business commentator on LBC News, and occasionally on Classic FM and Capital Radio.

As well as hosting the conference, he will also be providing his personal insight into the economic outlook for the UK.

The keynote speaker will be Steve Fowler, who has been writing about cars for over 30 years, he is used as a resident ‘car guru’ on BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio Four’s You and Yours, and been a motoring pundit on BBC TV, ITV and Sky News, and on national and local radio.

He will look at the whole switch to electric vehicles and what this means for retailers’ delivery and installation teams.

When is the right time to go green with your fleet of vehicles? Mr Fowler will hopefully provide the answers.

Other confirmed guest speakers include:
  • Paul Hide, CEO of AMDEA
  • Nick Simon, GfK’s client insight director, consumer electronics
  • Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA
  • Robert Williamson, National Business Development Manager at Symphony
  • Paul Laville, Founder and Owner of T21
  • Rosalind Klass, Managing Director of Health & Safety Click
There will also be speakers from both Repic and Material Focus, looking at the recycling challenge, as well as an opportunity to meet three new associate members, Creda, AP Taylor and Vispera.


"Many of you that attended last year’s event will recall that I was struck down by Covid and was unable to attend.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing you all in person this year at what I’ve always believed is the only time we all come together as an industry.

A Sustainable Industry is something that we can all contribute to in its many different guises. So, please come along and add your voice to the Retra “Industry Conference”.

Howard Saycell, Retra CEO

Retailer Panel

The panel of retailers is always a highly anticipated feature of the Retra Conference. It is a great opportunity for all independent retailers, large and small, to have your say and be heard. 

It offers an unparalleled platform to raise your burning questions about your industry and for you to engage in discussions about the future of independent electrical retailing. 

We are delighted to welcome this year’s retailer panel guests:    

  • Matt Renaut, managing director of Dacombes of Wimborne;     
  • Matthew Todd, partner of Herbert Todd & Son, York;   
  • Luke Gammons, director of Wades, Ramsey
  • Sean Hannam, industry journalist and Alert magazine editor

Welcome dinner 

There will be a “welcome dinner” on the evening of 16th October at the venue. 
This evening is free to anyone attending conference the following day.

Once again, the Retra board have agreed to give away 125 free places for the day. 
These are available on a first come first served basis (limited to one per member).

To claim your free place contact Pat Sheldrake at:
pat.sheldrake@retra.co.uk
or call: 07920 852973

Booking Form

Download the form below to book your free place

Retra Conference 2023 Booking Form

The Retra Conference 2023 is sponsored by AMDEA, Sony and Avensys