Boden names chief customer officer

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 21, 2018

Boden has named Gav Thompson, a tech and digital expert, as chief customer officer as part of a major effort to accelerate its digital proposition.

Thompson will take over from Penny Herriman who announced her resignation in June after more than five years to pursue new opportunities.

Boden hopes his experience from the digital and tech industries will help it establish its presence online, an ambition that is being supported by the brand’s biggest ever investment in digital and technology.

Thompson founded mobile phone provider Giffgaff in 2009, and has also held senior roles including global director of business innovation at the 02 and Telefonica. His CV also includes short periods as chief marketing officer at Thunderhead, Paddy Power and Yopa.

"Gav’s experience and reputation demonstrates his passion for driving customer-centric businesses globally. With a wealth of knowledge in the tech and digital industries, Gav will be a huge asset in driving our business growth,” said Jill Easterbrook, chief executive at Boden.

He added: “I am really thrilled to be joining Boden, an established brand that I have known and admired for the past 20 years. They’re at a really exciting stage of their journey and I look forward to getting stuck in.”

Earlier this year, the clothing retailer told Marketing Week that its digital transformation is so important, it has in fact become the biggest ever investment the company has ever done. In addition to strengthening its digital presence after transitioning from a catalogue business, the brand is focused on implementing a customer-centric model, where product and services are based on an understanding of what customers want.