A RETAIL expert will be delivering an annual lecture at an agricultural university next week. 

This year's Bledisloe Lecture at the Royal Agricutural University (RAU) will be delivered by Teresa Wickham, who was the first female director of Safeway Stores and who has also been an advisor to Sainsbury's. 

Teresa has been a regular interviewee on television and radio regarding supply chain issues and retailing and she has more than 40 years experience managing and developing complex areas of business in food, agribusiness and the retail sector. 

“I am really honoured to have been offered this wonderful opportunity to share some of my experiences from the horticulture sector, as well as my thoughts for the future, with the next generation at the Bledisloe Lecture," said Teresa, who is a former governor of the Royal Agricultural College, now the RAU. 

“I will also be talking about why I believe we were totally unprepared for our entry into the EU and how I feel that it is vital that we learn from the missed opportunities at this time to take advantage for the future.”

The lecture will take place in the Boutflour Hall at the university's Cirencester campus on May 8 at 6:30pm. There will be light refreshments, sponsored by faily-run meat company, Heck, from 5:30pm. 

Teresa added: “I am particularly thrilled to have Heck supporting us with the refreshments for the lecture since I believe their family business story is a great example for the future. Producers need to always be looking at ways of adding value to their products or their farming business in order to grow and continue to succeed.

“As I see it, there are three important themes - cooperation, communications, and the consumer – if you can get these right then that will ensure you have a successful business!”

RAU vice-chancellor professor Peter McCaffery will host a Q and A session at the end of the lecture. 

“We are delighted that Teresa agreed to give this lecture,"he said. 

"She is a trailblazing sector leader and her experience and knowledge is central to much of what we teach here at the RAU. We are really looking forward to hearing more.”

The annual lecture is named after the RAU alumnus Charles Bathurst, the first Lord Bledisloe (1867-1958) who was also Governor General of New Zealand in the early 1900s. 

This year's lecture is free, but you must email rsvp@rau.ac.uk if you wish to attend.