Clare Empson announces end of two year journey at UK online retailer N Brown Group

Clare Empson is leaving N Brown Group, a UK clothing and footwear digital retail platform whose brands include JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo.

She spent two years at the company, first as Supply Chain Director and then Chief Customer Operations Officer.

In a LinkedIn post, in which she did not reveal her next move, she said: "A milestone moment and the close of an incredible two-year journey at N Brown Group, where I’ve had the privilege of serving as Chief Customer Operations Officer and Supply Chain Director."

"Leading across a broad and diverse remit with talented, committed, and relentlessly customer focused teams has been a real highlight. Together for the customer, we delivered strong results and meaningful value - achievements I’m immensely proud of."

These include:

Built and embedded the customer domain, putting “the most important person not in the room” at the centre, driving end-to-end visibility and experience.

Strengthened the supply chain, enhancing resilience, continuity, and service across a multi-year capital and operational expenditure programme.

Operationalised a new distribution centre to support large item delivery logistics.

Designed and delivered an enterprise wide efficiency programme, including a modernised customer returns journey - scoping, procuring, implementing, and deploying new technology in 12 weeks.

Delivered the sale and completion of a large scale property asset.

Fostered positive engagement and culture, including opening the first all colleague onsite shop at the Shaw DC.

"I am deeply grateful to colleagues, suppliers, and partners across my network - your dedication and collaboration made every challenge an opportunity, and every success more meaningful," Empson concluded.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Supply chain technology will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.