Notonthehighstreet.com, claimed to be one of the UK’s largest independent marketplaces, has appointed Tesco online director Simon Belsham as chief executive.
Belsham first joined Tesco in 2002 to help bed in the purchase of T&S Stores – which runs the One Stop and Day & Nite convenience store brands – evenutally becoming multichannel development director in 2010.
He then quit to take up the role of director of non-food at Ocado before returning to Tesco 18 months later as managing director of Tesco.com. Belsham was promoted to online director just three months ago and was responsible for the strategy and operation of all Tesco’s online businesses, including groceries, clothing and general merchandise. He will join Notonthehighstreet in May.
Belsham said: “Like many others with an interest in retail and e-commerce, I have watched the company’s growing success with considerable admiration and I am looking forward to joining this dynamic and pioneering company and working closely with our community of partners.”
Launched by Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish (pictured) in 2006 as an online arts and crafts retail hub, Notonthehighstreet now has more than 4,000 small businesses signed up, over 80% of which are female-run, with over 100,000 products available.
The company recently appointed Arena to broaden its appeal from being a gifting site to a destination for lifestyle self-purchase. The agency has been briefed to build its customer base further, with a focus on appealing to men.
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