Argos bolsters management team with two new appointments

Argos has made two new appointments: Head of Customer and Market and Insight and Head of Digital Engineering

Head of Customer and Market Insight:

Ian Dobson has been appointed to the role of Head of Customer and Market Insight, reporting to Marketing Director Stephen Vowles. The role is key to bringing to life the strategic vision for Argos to be a digital retail leader, as announced to The City on 24 October 2012.

Ian will lead the development of strategies driven by an understanding of customers and how they shop. This will include driving insights into various channels and working closely with teams across the business to develop detailed customer offers aligned to brand and category strategies.

Previously, Ian held a number of senior marketing and commercial roles. As a marketing consultant, he has worked with some of the UK’s largest brands including Sky, Vodafone, Royal Bank of Scotland and British Gas.

Stephen Vowles, Argos Marketing Director, said: “With 70 per cent of UK households shopping with Argos, we have tremendous reach. In this key role, Ian will help to develop tailored and personalised shopping experiences, which support our ambitions for Universal Customer Appeal.”

Ian Dobson said: “Working for an established retail brand which touches so many people is really exciting. Developing a single view of customers across the many shopping channels in which we operate is very powerful and my goal is to place this customer insight at the heart of key decision making across the Argos business.”

Head of Digital Engineering:

Matt Hobbs has been appointed to the newly created role of Head of Digital Engineering, reporting to Bertrand Bodson, Chief Digital Officer. The role is key to bringing to life the strategic vision for Argos to be a digital retail leader, as announced to The City on 24 October 2012.

He joins the business in this leadership role to work across digital and IT teams on the continued development of technical and engineering capabilities within the business. Based at the Innovation Hub in Victoria, London, he will support expanding digital delivery channels, scaling teams, process and platforms.

Matt brings significant project and operational experience ranging over a number of high technology industries. He joins from Nuance Communications, where he was responsible for delivering a global multi-channel digital technology platform. Prior to that he held senior technical roles including Head of Architecture and Engineering at mydeco.com and Travelocity Europe, and Head of Technical Operations for lastminute.com.

On his appointment, Bertrand Bodson, Chief Digital Officer, Home Retail Group, said: “I am delighted that Matt has joined the team. His expertise will be key to help us connect the agile front end environment with back end infrastructure and maximise API’s, to deliver meaningful technical solutions that benefit our customers.

“He is a great addition to an already strong team.”

Matt Hobbs added: “I am excited to join Argos and am already working closely with the great team we already have here at the Innovation Hub. From day one I have been struck by the enthusiasm and calibre of colleagues and partners. The desire to be a leading digital retailer is infectious.”

Source : Home Retail Group Press Release
www.homeretailgroup.com