Shop Direct – the company behind Littlewoods and Very.co.uk – is ramping up its data-driven digital transformation with the appointment of a new tech leadership team, headed by former Sky Betting & Gaming chief Andy Burton.
Burton will join the company in May as chief technology offcer, reporting to group chief executive Henry Birch and sitting on the executive board.
He joins from The Stars Group, a global leader in online gaming, where he became a director following the company’s merger with Sky Betting & Gaming in 2018.
Over a nine-year spell at Sky Betting & Gaming, in roles including CTO and director of technology, Burton transformed the operation, growing headcount to 700 and putting data at the heart of the business to become the UK’s largest online gaming operator.
He will now lead Shop Direct’s 275-strong technology team as it continues to transform its platforms.
Birch said: “Technology underpins everything we do at Shop Direct. It helps us deliver the online experience and end-to-end journey that keeps our customers coming back to Very and Littlewoods time and time again. It was always our ambition to appoint a heavy-hitting CTO to our board and Andy certainly fits the bill.
“He has unrivalled experience of improving performance and customer experience through technology and new ways of working.”
Shop Direct has also promoted former head of tech architecture and engineering Karl Wintrell to the position of technology director, responsible for data science and strategy, and tech engineering and architecture.
He has been with the company for almost six years, and played a central role in defining its technology plans and delivering change to support its ongoing digital transformation.
Interim CTO JM Domaingue will also take up the role of technology director, leading technology operations including information security.
The duo will report to Burton.
Birch added: “With the support of Karl and JM, who are exceptional leaders, I am confident that Andy will continue to transform our technology capabilities, deliver the platforms we need to support our ongoing growth and be a vital member of our executive board.
Burton commented: “Shop Direct is hugely ambitious and has a track record in delivering successful transformation through tech.
“The business has achieved so much in a short time but there’s still a lot of work to do. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the next chapter. The best technology innovation, culture and talent will play a massive part in that.”
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