Six retail technology appointments you need to know about

After the latest retail systems appointments news? Then RTIH has you covered.

1. David Carey to Popeyes UK

Following the recent announcement of its UK launch, US fried chicken restaurant brand Popeyes has unveiled its senior team as it works towards its first restaurant opening this autumn.

UK CEO Tom Crowley will lead the team, comprised of: Chief Development Officer, Tom Byng; Chief Technology Officer, David Carey; and Chief Operating Officer, Neil Williamson.

Carey is formerly of The Restaurant Group, where, as Digital Director, he was responsible for brands including Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s, and Chiquito.

According to a press release, “he will lead on all restaurant and consumer tech, building systems to simplify operations, enable frictionless guest experiences, and understand and analyse guest data.”

Carey will oversee the creation and roll-out of Popeyes UK’s app, which will have its own delivery service.

2. Dr Peter Schroder to Karakuri

Food robotics company, Karakuri, has brought in Dr Peter Schroder as Chief Technology Officer.

Schroder previously served as CTO for McLaren Applied and has also held several positions at McLaren, including Chief Engineer for the racing team.

.@Telegraph officially broke the news in the most traditional way - in print - but there is nothing traditional about the #innovation and #technology experience Pete Schroder is bringing to Karakuri as CTO. https://t.co/DUhA6HZHVZ pic.twitter.com/CoavE4wB4h
— Karakuri.com (@Karakuri_tech) May 26, 2021

3. Alexis Lanternier and Patrick O’Connell to Branded

Branded, a startup that acquires and scales e-commerce brands, has hired Alexis Lanternier as Chief Operating Officer.

Lanternier will be responsible for driving the growth of Branded on Amazon and other e-commerce platforms worldwide.

His previous roles include Walmart EVP of e-commerce for Canada, Country CEO at Alibaba-Lazada and Lead Buyer at Amazon.

Branded has also appointed Patrick O’Connell as Chief Strategy Officer.

4. Alastair Westgarth to Starship Technologies

Autonomous delivery services venture, Starship Technologies, has appointed Alastair Westgarth as Chief Executive Officer

Westgarth was most recently CEO at Alphabet’s Loon, which started as part of X, Google’s Moonshot Factory, and focused on bringing internet access to unserved and underserved communities around the world via a network of balloons operating on the edge of space.

We are excited to announce Starship’s new CEO, Alastair Westgarth.

Alastair was formerly CEO of Alphabet’s Loon, and has 30 years experience building and running several tech companies. He joins Starship as we focus on scaling our business globally. https://t.co/OQ8a9CeIcI pic.twitter.com/pErdecKAUf
— Starship Technologies (@StarshipRobots) June 1, 2021

5. Alex Holt to Woolworths Group

Alex Holt is set to become Woolworths Group’s first Chief Sustainability Officer.

This executive level leadership role aims to drive concerted action across each of the retailer’s brands and businesses as it work towards its targets for 2025 and beyond.

6. Justin King to Itim Group

UK-based omnichannel retail software solutions venture Itim Group has announced its intention to float on London’s AIM market.

The company, which helps retailers improve financial and operational performance, is seeking to raise between £10 million and £12 million in an IPO.

Justin King, the former Sainsbury’s CEO, will join the Itim board as a Non-Executive Director. Former Sage exec Michael Jackson will take on the role of Chairman.