Boots hires Amazon chief to boost retail media attack

Boots UK has raided Amazon for a new executive to head up its omnichannel and retail media operation as the company beefs up its quest for a major share of the estimated $223bn global market.

Murray Beckett succeeds Matt Hanlon, as director of omnichannel and retail media. Hanlon who quit in June after just 10 months in the role to join Nike as director of integrated retail marketing.

Beckett, who started his career agency side at OgilvyOne in 2005, joins from Amazon, where he served as general manager of marketing and digital for the EMEA and APAC regions for the past three years.

Prior to that, Beckett was group marketing and customer director at Boohoo for over five years and  head of performance marketing at M&S for over four years. He has also held senior roles at Nike and British Airways.

Earlier this year, Boots strengthened its senior marketing team with the appointment of former John Lewis Partnership executive Manish Bhagat as customer transformation director, leading the retailer’s Advantage Card and CRM efforts.

The move saw Bhagat reunited with former John Lewis colleague chief Charlotte Lock, who joined Boots as senior vice-president of customer and marketing in November last year.

The team is led by chief customer and commercial officer Steve Ager, who was appointed in the wake of CMO Peter Markey’s decision to step down in June last year.

In a LinkedIn post, Beckett said: “Just a few days in, I’m grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received and looking forward to learning, meeting more of the team, and playing a small part in our mission to help people live healthier, longer, happier lives.

“One thing that has been reinforced since the interview process is how much pride there is in the business: its heritage, success, and the role it plays in customers’ lives. There’s also a noticeable sense of anticipation right now. With new leadership and ownership, it feels like people are energised by the opportunities ahead. Care x Commerce. I reckon that’s a Bootiful thing.”

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