Matthew Ford leaves Cognizant for Arcadia Group digital role

Matthew Ford has joined Philip Green’s struggling Arcadia Group as Head of Customer Platform - Digital, “providing technical leadership and strategic direction for ensuring the ongoing delivery of all customer touchpoints across the retailer’s brands”. He was previously at Cognizant where he held the role of Director, Digital Commerce Practice (UK&I).

“I’ve known Arcadia for a while now and the great team working in the digital customer domain. I was so impressed with the team that I wanted to work with them: hard working, knowledgable, lots of laughter, and total commitment. Looking forward to helping continue the digital transformation giving Arcadia’s customers the very best digital experiences,” Ford said in a LinkedIn post.

He added: “Always sad to be leaving a company like Cognizant. I leave with fond memories and appreciation for the belief placed in me by an inspiring leadership team, and the dedicated group of associates in the digital commerce practice. I have no doubt Cognizant will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Arcadia Group narrowly secured backing from its creditors in June for a restructuring plan to try and turn around its fortunes. This included seven company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), as well as an agreement to cut costs by closing 48 of 566 trading outlets that employ 18,000 staff across the UK and Ireland. It then emerged that the retailer had received applications challenging the plan from US creditor and New York-based property group Vornado Realty Trust.

Arcadia Group Chief Executive Ian Grabiner said: "These challenges are entirely without merit and we will vigorously defend them. The CVAs are a vital part of our restructuring, putting the business on a firm financial footing and enabling significant investment as part of our growth plans which will ultimately benefit all our stakeholders. Our group continues to trade as normal and we remain focused on delivering our turnaround plans."