Conor Crosland departs grocery tech firm StrongPoint for Director of Logistics & Automation role at Holland & Barrett
Conor Crosland has joined Holland & Barrett as Group Director of Logistics & Automation.
He joins from StrongPoint, where he spent almost two years, serving as Implementation Director. His CV also includes stints at TikTok and Amazon.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: "Holland & Barrett is a brand with huge reach and real purpose, and the opportunity to drive growth across their Operations and Supply Chain at scale is one I’m incredibly excited about. Lots to do, cant wait to get stuck in!"
He added: "I am incredibly proud of what our team at StrongPoint built together: strong year on year growth across a broad portfolio of store development, software and product, and automation solutions, helping retailers enhance both their in-store and e-commerce operations across the UK and Ireland. The pace of what this team delivered in the time we had is something I will carry with me."
AutoStore
Last year, Vineta Bajaj, CFO at Holland & Barrett, took to social media to discuss how the retailer is driving automation across its distribution network.
In a LinkedIn post, Bajaj said: “We actually have a shiny new AutoStore getting ready to go live very soon, and it is going to be a game changer for how we move products from warehouse to customer.”
“I’m not sure about you, but I love a good warehouse day. There’s something about walking the floor, seeing the kit in action, and watching robots glide around that just makes me feel right at home.”
She added: “For me, this is where finance, operations and innovation meet, every conveyor belt, sensor and process maps directly to productivity, cost efficiency and ultimately, customer experience.”
“If you’re as obsessed with automation, efficiency and future ready supply chains as I am, and fancy helping us automate the hell out of our distribution, supply chain or last mile, come talk to me. We have fantastic leadership roles open right now and you’ll get to work super closely with me (is that a perk? Idk) and the wider team such as Lisa Widdison (Group Supply Chain & Distribution Director at Holland & Barrett).”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Supply chain automation 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.
