Senior leaders on the move - Boden, Checkatrade, Green King, Nationwide Building Society, PGL Travel, and The Works
Senior leadership roles for marketing and digital/tech are really picking up as we head into autumn, with some big moves announced this month, along with some well-deserved internal promotions. Our recent leadership survey showed that 72% of respondents aim to move into a new role in the next 12 months and our latest breakfast meeting with candidates showed growing confidence in the market. We offer our huge congratulations to the following senior leaders on their new roles, and we wish them enormous success.
Georgina Whalley, CMO, Checkatrade
Congratulations to the talented Georgina Whalley who has joined Checkatrade – the UK’s number one website for finding a quality tradesperson – as CMO. Georgina has 20 years’ experience in marketing and operations at senior levels within regulated finance, consumer lending, fintech and retail sectors. She will be a brilliant asset to the Checkatrade team, reporting to their new CEO, Jambu Palaniappan.
Previous roles include Chief Impact and Marketing Officer at Tandem Bank; Chief Executive Officer at Openpay, where Georgina was promoted after just two years as Global Chief Marketing Officer; and more than three years as Group Marketing Director at New Look. When announcing her new role, she said, “I’m delighted to join Checkatrade.com today as CMO. Looking forward to working with our new CEO Jambu Palaniappan and the amazing team to help connect millions of homeowners to quality trades across the U.K."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-whalley
Gemma Evans, Product Director, Outdoor and Cycle Concepts
Gemma Evans joins Outdoor and Cycle Concepts – the largest outdoor retailer in the UK – as their new Product Director after more than nine years at Superdry. Gemma is a business leader with a merchandising career built from working within some exceptional retail groups, driving key product areas, including womenswear, accessories, kidswear, and menswear.
Prior to her new role at Outdoor and Cycle Concepts, Gemma was the Merchandise Director at Superdry after being promoted from Head of Merchandising. She also spent more than four years at New Look. She is an excellent addition to her new team.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-evans-97734a25
Jessica Franklin, Director of Brand Marketing, Boden
Boden – a British clothing company with over 1.7 million customers worldwide and a team of over 900 – has appointed Jessica Franklin as its new Director of Brand Marketing. Jessica is a highly qualified creative thinker who has enormous brand experience and a clear commercial mindset.
She joins Boden after more than 13 years at Jigsaw Clothing, including the Head of Brand Marketing and Customer, and Head of Brand Communications roles. As described by her peer, “Jessica demonstrated a natural ability to deliver strategy to a high level and also contributed a host of innovative ideas. She is affable, talented and hardworking; a valuable asset for any company."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-franklin-9bb4642b
Simon Peck, Marketing Director, The Works Stores Ltd
We’re delighted for Simon Peck who has joined The Works Stores Ltd – one of the most loved retailers in the UK for reading, learning, creativity, and play – as their new Marketing Director. Simon is a senior leader with more than 15 years’ experience of commercially driven roles within the fast-paced retail sector.
Previous roles include Digital & Business Development Director at Sofology; more than five years at Currys, including the Head of Omnichannel Business Development, Head of Marketing, and Head of Partner Marketing roles; and Marketing Director – Europe at Ralph Lauren.
Of his new role, Simon shared, “This is going to be a fantastic journey diving headfirst into the enchanting world of The Works, I can't wait to share more. P.S. If you have young kids and have never been to one of our stores, then trust me when I say, you're missing out on life.”
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpeck1
Alison Sudbury, Chief Customer Officer, PGL Travel
Congratulations to Alison Sudbury on her promotion to Chief Customer Officer at PGL Travel. PGL is well-known for their residential, outdoor education, adventure and ski trips for school children and groups, as well as adventure holidays for individual children and families. Alison brings extensive customer experience and understanding to her role – she is known for translating customer insights into actionable initiatives that support long-term positive change.
Alison’s promotion comes after just two years as Group Marketing Director at PGL. Prior to joining the company, she spent three years as Founder and Director of Brands Build Business. She also spent five years as Marketing Director at James Wellbeloved, and three years at Clarks.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-sudbury-7517074
Frances Sue, Brand Lead, Greene King
Frances Sue joins Green King – the leading pub and brewing company – as their Brand Lead. Passionate about leading and activating brand and marketing strategies, Frances is respected for her abilities in raising brand awareness, driving growth, and increasing revenue.
Prior to Greene King, she spent two years as Head of Brand & Marketing Communications at Decathlon UK, more than 11 years at Currys – including the Senior Brand & Strategy Manager role – and more than five years at Subway.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-sue
Richard Warren, Director Brand, Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide Building Society – the world's largest building society – has appointed Richard Warren as its Director Brand, Marketing and Experience. Richard has significant experience within the financial services sector, along with extensive experience within agencies, having worked in advertising for Publicis, Chiat/Day, Kirshenbaum & Bond before founding his own independent agency, DLKW, where he was Director of Strategy before its merger with Lowe in 2010.
Most recently, Richard spent more than five years as Director, Marketing Communications at Lloyds Banking Group, following his role as Managing Director at Greenhouse Group – Lloyds Banking Group’s media agency.
When described by his former team, Richard is "a remarkably intelligent and instinctive leader, inspiring all around him from the most seasoned pro, through to the newest graduates. Above all, it's his passion for the business that drives others around him to give their best, and then some more."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-warren-4156884
If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, or if you’re hiring for your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing and digital/tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
