Shop Direct appoints new CEO
Online and home shopping retailer Shop Direct Group has appointed Alex Baldock as its new chief executive. He will join the company in September and succeed Mark Newton-Jones who is leaving the business after nine years as CEO.
Most recently Baldock has been managing director at asset finance company Lombard where he has worked since 2008. Prior to that he held senior roles at Barclays and was a management consultant at Bain & Company, Ernst & Young and Dentsu, where he he advised blue chip corporates across Europe, the US and Asia-Pacific. This included experience of advising clients across retail and online.
Shop Direct said in a statement: “Shop Direct’s shareholders are delighted to be appointing someone of Alex’s experience and capability. Alex brings outstanding experience in managing and growing complex businesses through change as evidenced by the success during his time at Lombard. In addition, Alex brings significant expertise in brand building, customer insight and operational excellence that will greatly benefit the Group.”
Baldock added: “I can’t wait to get started at Shop Direct. Mark and the team have built a strong business with great brands and fantastic products delivering strong growth and innovation. The Group’s online, mobile and retailing capabilities are the envy of many and it is ideally placed in the increasingly online world in which we live.
“Whilst the economic and retail environment remains very challenging, with a strong stable of brands, clearly focused on delivering for their millions of customers, the Group is well-positioned for future success and I am delighted to be taking over as CEO.”
