Circular economy technology firm Polytag brings in GENIE Drinks co-founder Alex Webster as CSO
Polytag, a UK-based data capture and marketing platform pitched at the circular economy, has appointed Alex Webster as Chief Strategy Officer.
Webster brings a track record of backing and building data led businesses, spanning FinTech, loyalty and consumer technology. His investments and early involvement include 123Send, GoHenry, Unmind, Fidel API, Monzo and Revolut. Alongside this, he has spent the past seven years building a consumer brand, Genie Drinks.
Webster joins Polytag at a time of significant structural change across the packaging and retail industry, as brands prepare for initiatives such as the GS1 Sunrise 2027 programme and emerging Digital Product Passport regulations.
As Chief Strategy Officer, he will focus on shaping Polytag’s long-term growth strategy, strengthening its position in the connected packaging ecosystem and supporting brands in maximising the commercial and sustainability value of packaging data. His appointment follows a period working directly with the company as a customer at Genie Drinks.
“As a customer, I was drawn to Polytag’s ability to move beyond basic QR functionality,” he says. “What stood out was the platform’s ability to support richer, multi-layered digital experiences, including dynamic content, sustainability messaging and location-specific information all within a single code. Compared to more traditional barcode and QR providers, which tend to focus primarily on redirection, Polytag felt like a genuine data and engagement layer for brands rather than just a scanning tool.”
“We are now entering a critical moment for the industries Polytag serves, with regulatory and technological change driving a movement to connect physical packaging to digital experiences. Polytag is perfectly positioned to help brands navigate that transition and unlock the opportunity it creates, and I’m excited to help shape its next phase of growth.”
Alice Rackley, CEO, Polytag, comments: “Alex brings a rare combination of experience as both a builder and investor in high growth, data led businesses, alongside first-hand experience as a Polytag customer. His appointment reflects our ambition as we enter our next stage of growth, and his expertise will be instrumental as we continue to scale and support brands through a period of significant industry transformation.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Green retail 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.
