Dominic Rose departs Depop and focuses on coronavirus fight
Dominic Rose has left social shopping app Depop “after an epic 2.5 years that has seen explosive growth, expansion of the team from 85 to over 400 and a global pandemic”.
London headquartered Depop was founded by Simon Beckerman in 2011 as a social network where readers of PIG magazine could buy items from the young creatives featured in the publication.
After realising that a selling function was needed, he re-envisioned the app as a marketplace and a mobile space where people could see what their friends and the people who inspired them were liking, buying and selling.
Rose had held the role of Chief Operating Officer, having previously worked at Asos as Director of Strategy & Business Development and AllSaints (as Business Innovation Manager).
“I’m sad to be leaving the business following a decision to restructure the management team,” he said in a LinkedIn post.
“However I am grateful to have had the chance to work with so many wonderful people that I now call my friends and to have learnt so much about myself, leadership, teams, the power of community to drive change and the responsibilities of technology platforms to create a safe and inclusive internet for all.”
Meanwhile, in a Medium post, he discussed reflections and learnings from his time at Depop.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the coronavirus pandemic loomed large. “In March last year, we were confronted with a new and unknown threat rapidly enveloping every element of our lives,” he wrote.
“In these moments of crisis it’s common to turn inwards, and look after ourselves. Instead, everyone in our team turned outwards, going above and beyond to help each other and the wider Depop community, and pulling together with generosity, kindness and common cause in a way that I will never forget.”
He added: “Those three months of “peak crisis” were, for me, Depop at its absolute best — kind, community focussed, trusting, passionate, agile and versatile.
“That experience was, and I am sure will remain, the highlight of my career. I was inspired and humbled every day and hope the spirit of those difficult days will live on into brighter times.”
As for what’s next, Rose plans to support his wife in running a mental health festival for kids, schools and teachers, before becoming a volunteer coronavirus vaccinator.
“I’m now fully trained and qualified with St John Ambulance and planning to focus here full time for a couple of months at least whilst exploring opportunities in mission driven, community focussed tech businesses.”
“I am especially interested in how the internet is governed as we all strive to create a safe and inclusive online environment for all,” he concluded.
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