anisation that helps equip and inspire parents to build healthy, loving families and promote a brighter future for their communities. Walker has more than 30 years experience in the retail industry, having held leadership roles including chairman, board member and director across companies including Rebel Sports, Godfreys, Carpet Court, Bras N Things and The PAS Group. Walker, who took up boxing around seven years ago, had been working pro bono for Fusion Families when he decided to try to help raise money for them. After six months training between 20-25 hours a week, on Sunday he’ll be fighting a series of 25 accredited boxers. “I’ve always believed in biting off more than you can chew and chewing like hell,” Walker told Inside Retail Weekly. “I’m a great believer in taking myself out of my comfort zone and it’s amazing what you can achieve when you push yourself a little bit beyond where you think you can operate comfortably.” When asked about the similarities between boxing and retail, Walker said certain comparisons could be made between the two. “You can draw comparisons between success in business and success in sport, and particularly boxing,” Walker said. “To be successful in business you have to be able to set yourself goals and work towards them, do whatever you need to to achieve them. “You’ve gotta be focused, you’ve got to be willing to take risks and stick your neck out a little bit, so to speak. I think that’s certainly something you’ve got to do in sport, and boxing, and business.”   Like in his career, Walker has surrounded himself with a “great team” including a sports nutritionist and trainer who counts world champions among his students. “It has always been my philosophy to have people around me who are better at their individual areas of control than I am. That’s helped my success,” he said. And one last piece of advice for aspiring retail leaders: “Go for it. Don’t be afraid to have a go, and if you fail, then it’s just good learning. Failure is just something that you walk away from knowing that you’ve learned something, and next time you won’t make the same mistake.” Want more Inside Retail? Subscribe to Inside Retail Weekly now and get our premium print publication delivered to your door every week.