Never a dull moment: Director of IT Carole Kingsbury announces departure from Ted Baker

Carole Kingsbury has departed Ted Baker, where she served as Director of IT.

She joined the company in 2019 as Head of Project Delivery, before taking on the role of Head of Business Solutions in 2020, and then Director of IT in 2022.

Ted Baker has been cutting head office jobs following its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group.

The latter outsourced Ted Baker stores and its e-commerce site to retail management business AARC in April.

In a LinkedIn post, Kingsbury said: “Four years and three months ago I walked in through the Lobster emblazoned doors of UBB into what felt like a secret world. I didn’t know quite what to expect, but I knew it wouldn’t be ordinary or dull. Fast forward to today and I can confirm there has indeed never been a dull moment.”

“As Dorothy would have said – “there’s nowhere quite like Ted.” From shopfloor to head office front door, the 24 carat golden thread running through the DNA of Ted is its people! Whether that be in the form of a colleague or customer it’s about what they have invested in the business in terms of heart, loyalty and skill.”

She added: “It has been a privilege to work alongside and learn from the many people in our business – you are all amazing and have shown great courage and professionalism over the past few months navigating the uncertainty and ambiguity following the acquisition.”

“It has been a true honour to be able to lead the IT team - you are all in the truest sense of the word – exceptional! You have through the good, and not so good times, pulled more rabbits out of hats, herded cats and knitted fog than I’ve seen anywhere else and done so with such professionalism, dignity and pride even when completely exhausted.”

Kingsbury also thanked those who have shared the journey, including Wunderman Thompson Commerce & Technology, BigCommerce, Bloomreach, MuleSoft, Adyen, Boston Consulting Group, and Avalara.

She concluded: “Ted’s DNA is now set to evolve and grow under Authentic Brands Group supported by our new operating partners PDS, OSL Retail Services and AARC Group. Ted Baker truly is no ordinary brand, run by no ordinary people and I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to be a part of it.”

Kingsbury now plans to take a break over the summer, with nothing new as yet lined up. “Not often we get the opportunity to take a break in our world,” she told RTIH.

Leon Shepherd

Earlier this year, Leon Shepherd departed Ted Baker, where he served as CIO and Digital Strategy Director.

Prior to Ted Baker, Shepherd was Interim CIO at Jack Wills and, before that, IT & Business Change Director at FatFace.

He has also worked at Marks and Spencer, holding the position of Head of E-Commerce Technology and International IT.

And he spent over nine years at Vodafone, including Head of Core Network and Head of E-Commerce Delivery.

He said that he was now going to take some time out, after what he described as an incredibly busy time, and then see “what exciting and interesting roles were available”.