Top chiefs exit after Very Group tech and data shake-up

The Very Group has undergone a major overhaul of its tech and data team with the departure of chief data officer Steve Pimblett, who has followed chief information officer Matt Grest out of the door; both had been with the firm for just over three years.

Pimblett joined the business in September 2020, from motor industry specialist Wejo, where he held the dual role of CDO and chief information officer. Prior to that he was CDO at Nasdaq-listed online gaming company Betsson Group, and general manager of data at Moneysupermarket.com.

At Very Group, Pimblett initially reported to CIO and former Sky Betting & Gaming chief Andy Burton, but he quit for Esure in late 2020 and was succeeded by Grest, the former BBC, Sky, and Yorkshire Building Society tech chief.

Pimblett joined the business as part of a new 150-strong data and tech team, and oversaw the entire data operation, including strategy, data science, analytics and engineering.

In an interview with DataIQ, Pimblett said he had been able “rewrite retail” with a mission to provide “the most personalised digital financial and retail experience in the UK”.

He also developed what he called the “DNA” strategy and vision, implementing and embedding “Data>iNsight>Action” to create value, drive collaboration and engage internal and external customers.

However, in May, the company promoted chief marketing officer Jessica Myers to the expanded role of chief customer officer, 18 months after she had joined Very Group from Metro Bank.

At the time, the firm said her new role would bring together teams across the business in a new “customer-focused centre of excellence” and, as part of the reshuffle, she added data and analytics, as well as ecommerce to her brief, along with her existing responsibilities of brand, marketing, PR and creative operations.

It is not known what effect this had on Pimblett’s role but in a LinkedIn post, he wrote: “After 3½ years at The Very Group the time has come to move onto a new chapter. I have loved every minute of it! Now time to reflect and recharge. Thanks to everyone at Very and in my network, who have made the last 3½ years fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Grest stepped down last month. On LinkedIn, he wrote: “We have achieved a huge amount together; we have embarked on a wholesale cloud transformation initiative, we have delivered on our ambitions to make Very one of the leading AI-powered retailers in the UK, developed key strategic relationships with some of the world’s biggest and best technology companies and are well underway with a complete re-platforming of the tech that powers our website and app.

“All of this has contributed to putting the business on firm technology foundations that will provide a platform for the next phase of business growth – amazing work from the whole team.”

Very Group has already recruited former Bohoo, Morrisons, Wal-Mart and Asda tech chief Steve Nolan to be the new CIO; it is not known whether the firm has lined up a successor for Pimblett.

The retailer recently expanded its ‘Let’s Make It Sparkle’ Christmas ad into a new brand platform, reviving its pink feathered friends to launch the “Haus of Flamingo” (pictured) for its 2024 summer campaign.