Applications have closed early for Brand Licensing Europe’s (BLE) 2026 Retail Mentoring Programme (RMP) following unprecedented demand for the 100 places on the popular CPD-accredited course. 

This year’s delegates represent 31 retail companies, the biggest ever number participating in a single year. Abbot Lyon (jewellery), Fortnum & Mason, Ocado, POP MART, Thortful (greetings), TGJones (formerly WHSmith), Waitrose and Waterstones are first time participants.  

They join Asda, Boots, Character.com, Card Factory, DFS, FatFace, HMV, Iceland, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Matalan, Miniso, Morrisons, My 1st Years, Next, Primark, Sainsbury’s, The Entertainer, Tesco, The Works, Truffleshuffle, Vanilla Underground and The Very Group, all home to RMP alumni.   

Gillian Grady, Group Head of Legal - Employment & Commercial, DFS Furniture plc is a 2025 RMP delegate. She said: “The whole programme was really excellent, I learned a lot, and it is wonderful to see the world of retail licensing from the inside !  What a fantastic opportunity it has been and thank you for the time, effort and resource you have put into supporting us.  Having met so many passionate, talented people, bringing the work you all do to life has been so inspiring.” 

Brand days will be hosted after the summer by Natural History Museum, All3Media, Bravado, Wildbrain CPLG, CAA, Warner Bros. Discovery, Hasbro, SEGA and – new to the programme this year - ZSL London Zoo.  

The 2026 RMP kicks off with the Licensing for Retail one-day conference taking place 16 April at Informa Markets’ offices at 240 Blackfriars Road in London. The full agenda including keynote, panels and breakout sessions will be announced shortly.  

“With retailers from fashion, baby and nursery, toys and games, home and lifestyle, stationery and gifting, books and media, food and managed partnerships, this year’s RMP delegate list is more diverse and comprehensive than ever, which means participants can learn even more from each other as well as from our experts,” said Laura Freedman-Dagg, Head of Retail, Brand Licensing Europe.  

“We have a bumper programme of events and education planned to help our retailers better navigate the world of brand licensing and understand how it can help their career development as well as businesses they work for find that point of difference to win new customers, and increase loyalty, brand awareness, share of wallet and revenue.  

“It’s always a proud moment seeing our RMP graduates attend BLE as the last stop on the programme, confident to meet with brands at the show, and excited about where brand licensing can take their retail proposition.” 

Brand Licensing Europe is the only pan-European annual event dedicated to licensing and brand extension. This year, the event takes place 6-8 October 2026 at Excel London.