Former Boots UK Chief Transformation Officer Preyash Thakrar connects with MetaRouter

Former Boots UK Chief Transformation Officer Preyash Thakrar has joined AI powered customer data and identity solutions firm MetaRouter as a Strategic Advisor in the UK.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Many of you will know I recently left Boots after an incredible couple of years there. I had a lot of fun making an impact with an outstanding leadership team. A number of people have reached out asking what’s next. I’ve been taking my time - being deliberate about only working with businesses that I believe in and where I can add real value rather than jumping at the first opportunity.”

He added: “I’m delighted to share the first of those opportunities: I’m joining MetaRouter as a Strategic Advisor in the UK. MetaRouter is a US-based scale-up working with businesses such as Costco, Home Depot and Kroger, helping them take control of their first-party data and drive significant incremental commercial value.”

“So why MetaRouter? Having spent years leading customer, data and strategy across Boots UK, Walmart/Asda and Royal Mail, I’ve seen this challenge first-hand. First-party data is one of the most valuable assets a retailer has right now - yet many are still leaving money on the table because they can’t fully control or activate it. MetaRouter changes that. It gives retailers complete control over their first-party data, delivering better match rates, richer audiences, improved return on ad spend, and stronger monetisation of retail media partnerships.”

He concluded: “For any retailer (or commerce business) serious about first-party data and retail media, this is infrastructure that genuinely moves the needle. If this resonates, I’d love to connect.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Data solutions will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and 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 Wednesday, 4th November.

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.