Pastures new for Karen Dyke as she ends 17 year stint as CEO at Retail Manager Solutions

Karen Dyke has announced her departure from digital workplace specialist Retail Manager Solutions (RMS), where she spent almost 17 years, serving first as Managing Director then CEO.

RMS was last year acquired by retail software and services provider Forma Innovations.

In a LinkedIn post, in which she did not reveal her next move, Dyke said: "After many blessed, thrilling and exciting years, my tenure at RMS has come to a close and end. From a humble beginning and a crazy thought process, that there was a need for operational platforms for distributed workforces especially in retail and hospitality.. working with a few customers, RMS and what is now Metro was born."

"Many of these customers are still customers of RMS today over 20 years later... today with over 100 solution modules (pick and mix!) we have spanned the technology spectrum over the years, from Domino/Lotus Notes, to .Net, to Azure to AI!.. in what now feels like in a blink of an eye."

She added: "I have been blessed with the best team of colleagues, who tolerated my visions and madness, and who today make me proud as punch as they continue the Metro journey. I have also been blessed with the best customers, who became part of the RMS journey, helped evolve and revolutionise the platform and its functions. They never doubted the journey and gave their trust and indeed partnership - more than that they became part of the RMS family."

"What lies ahead for me, I do not know. A think a few days off for sure. Then those pastures new for sure. I want to thank every RMS colleague, every customer for their loyalty, support and craziness too!. Without which, Metro would not be the leading communications and engagement platform in the world (well, I would be biased wouldn’t I)."

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Digital retail 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.