Robert Don-Duncan departs Flutter for data architecture role at JD Sports Fashion

Robert Don-Duncan is starting a new position as Head of Data Architecture at JD Sports Fashion.

He joins from Flutter UK & Ireland where he served as Data Architect. His CV also includes stints at Sky Betting & Gaming and AO.com.

2025

Dan McGrath, JD Group Head of Customer Operations at JD Sports Fashion, has taken to social media to discuss how the retailer fared in 2025, a year that included major store roll-outs and RFID initiatives.

In a LinkedIn post, McGrath said: “It was a year of real professional and personal growth but more importantly, a year defined by people. None of what we achieved happened through strategy or technology alone.”

“It happened because of an exceptional, multi-skilled team who trusted each other, challenged constructively, and showed up every day with pace, care and pride in what we were building. My role was simply to create the space, direction and belief. They did the rest.”

2025 highlights included:

Building and winning support for a compelling business case, securing full Investment board sign-off.

Designed, led and delivered a multi-million-pound, cross-functional programme which was on time, on budget and delivering against ROI KPIs.

Took a PoC to full enterprise roll-out in 76 working days, aligning legal, supply chain, IT, infosec, tech, retail and training around a single outcome.

Delivered to 414 stores across the UK and Ireland in 16 weeks, sustaining a pace of 25 stores per week without compromising quality.

Created and delivered a fully immersive, week long change and culture programme on RFID, enabling 26 retail Change Champions to lead from the front.

Partnered closely with brand partners, taking RFID from education and advocacy through to adoption into 2026.

McGrath commented: “I’m also grateful for the personal recognition this year not as an individual achievement, but as a reflection of the teams and cultures I’m fortunate to be part of: Top 100 Retail Voice from Retail Technology Innovation Hub; Top 50 Voice in Customer Experience from CX Alliance; Judge, RTIH AI in Retail Awards.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Physical 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.