Meta veteran Genna Osler joins Google as Industry Head, Retail at pivotal time in AI journey

Genna Osler has joined Google as Industry Head, Retail. She was previously at Meta, where she spent the past eight years, most recently serving as Head of Industry FMCG and Automotive.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: “It is an honour to join the team at such a pivotal time in their AI journey, where Google is fundamentally transforming how people shop and how brands connect with their customers. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of this team.”

She added: “Best of all, I get to work (again) with one of the industry's greatest leaders, Sophie Neary (Managing Director, Retail & Consumer Goods). It’s only day two, and the team culture and focus on impact already shines through. Thank you, Googlers, for the warm welcome so far. I can’t wait to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new ones, and support my new team and clients to grow.”

Neary commented: “Some people you cross paths with and just know you’ll work together again. Which is why I’m tickled pink to be welcoming Genna to Google as an Industry Head in our Retail & FMCG team.

“We’ve worked together before - so we have form! Genna is clever, commercial, grounded and kind. No noise, no fluff, just clear thinking and good judgement. Plus she’s a lovely human which, at the end of the day, is what we all will remember. I’ve been looking forward to announcing this one for a while.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI 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.