VP of Design Darrin Henein departs Shopify after ten year run at e-commerce platform big hitter

Darrin Henein has left Shopify, where he held the role of Vice President of Design, in search of a new challenge.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “After almost ten years, I’ve decided it’s time for something new. My time at Shopify has truly been life changing - it’s been a place of growth, challenge, creativity, and lifelong relationships. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most talented, thoughtful, and driven people I’ve ever met. I’m incredibly proud of what we built together, and for the experience I get to take with me.”

He added: “To everyone I’ve worked with: thank you. I am eternally grateful for the support, guidance, trust and opportunity that has been so graciously offered to me over almost a decade. True story - what started as a question "hey, do you know anything about hardware" (to which I answered honestly: no) lead to a multi-year initiative to hire a team, develop a strategy and deliver a portfolio of Red Dot award winning payments devices.”

“From introducing the concept of sales channels to Shopify, leading the design teams who built the first versions of Frenzy and Arrive (which became Shop), standing up a sibling design system to Polaris specifically for retail environments (which is still used today), redesigning the entire PoS platform (apps, platform, hardware, packaging, and the first physical Shopify spaces), and later leading the team responsible for merchant acquisition, onboarding, guidance and success in the admin - to name just a few - it's hard to think of a part of Shopify's platform that I didn't have the privilege to lead or influence.”

He concluded: “I'm also grateful for the opportunity I had to influence the culture: from introducing critique standards, guidelines and frameworks for quality, redesigning our hiring process, supporting the transition to remote work, influencing the constant evolution of the design practice over the years, speaking at our annual Summit conference multiple times, and working externally with partners, merchants and acquisitions.”

“I’m leaving with a full heart, gratitude for the trust and opportunities granted to me again and again, and a conviction that everyone deserves to experience entrepreneurship. For now, I'm heads down building a few ideas, getting hands on again with the craft, and spending some time this summer with my family.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

E-commerce will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.