Secret Sales appoints industry veteran Leon Shepherd as new Chief Technology Officer
Secret Sales, a non-full price marketplace for fashion, sportswear and beauty brands, has appointed Leon Shepherd as its new Chief Technology Officer.
Shepherd – whose resumé includes stints at the likes of Jack Wills, Fat Face, Marks & Spencer, and over nine years at Vodafone leading mobile technology engineering – joins from Ted Baker, where he was Chief Information Officer and Digital Strategy Director.
In his new role as CTO at Secret Sales, Shepherd will be responsible for advancing the company’s use of technology, including making the most of its dynamic forecasting tools which help brands accelerate the sales and margins from their seasonal surplus stock.
He will also lead the implementation of the venture’s new website, using Progressive Web App (PWA) technologies.
Chris Griffin, CEO, Secret Sales, says: “Technology is at the heart of what we do and plays a critical role in driving efficiencies and profitability for brands and retailers on our marketplace.”
“So, we’re really pleased to have Leon here, taking the next step in his career with us, and accelerating our technology investment.”
“Leon’s worked in almost every kind of role in tech, and with some of the biggest in the business, and his unique perspective on the industry will be invaluable as we continue to make huge leaps both in the UK and internationally.”
Shepherd comments: “Joining Secret Sales is a real opportunity for me to help build an industry game changing technology platform. What the team has already done is so revolutionary, and I’m looking forward to taking it to yet another level by implementing PWA, and further industry leading technologies for the business across Europe.”
“The leadership has such a great appreciation and understanding of the importance of technology, every single person in the business is passionate about helping the business grow, and I’m eager to take this opportunity with both hands and run with it.”
Funding round
Last month, Secret Sales raised $10 million in a Series B funding round.
This came two years after the company’s first round of funding, which raised €10 million in June 2021.
Series B investors included ePerwyn, Belerion Capital, and Big Ideas Group.
Secret Sales will use the cash for both European expansion and its marketplace technology, which, as of February 2023, had cultivated an inventory of 25 million items with a combined value of £3 billion – an increase of 125% year-on-year.
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