Senior leaders on the move - De Beers, Selfridges, and more
It has been an incredible year for senior leadership roles and January is set to one of our busiest months yet. We have some exceptional interim and permanent opportunities coming in for the New Year, as clients make a head start on finding the best talent to deliver new strategies. We are delighted to congratulate the following senior leaders on their new roles.
Jo Agnew, Marketing Director, BEAR, Urban Fruit, nakd. and Trek
Lotus Bakeries Group, in the indulgent and natural snacking segment, has appointed Jo Agnew as its new Marketing Director, overseeing the BEAR, Urban Fruit, nakd. and Trek brands. Her strong track record of brand transformation and leading strategic change makes her an excellent hire – Jo puts the customer at the heart of her work. Previous roles include three years as Marketing Director at Urban Fresh Foods Ltd and 11 years at Premier Foods, leading brand activity in the Brand Director role for Mr. Kipling, Cadbury Cakes & Lyons.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-agnew-22472239
Debra Duncan, Head of Content, Global, BT
Debra Duncan has joined BT as their Head of Content, Global, bringing extensive experience in content strategy and consumer engagement to the role. A commercially astute senior executive, Debra was previously the Deputy Director of Human-Centred Design Professions (Interim). Other roles include Customer, Communications & Innovation Deputy at the UK Health Security Agency; Head of Content Design, Customer Experience, NHS Test & Trace for the Department of Health and; Social Care and Head of Content & Brand, Audience Growth at Auto Trader UK. An experienced leader, Debra also completed ‘Dare to Lead’ training this year – training based on the respected research of Brené Brown, Ph.D, MSW.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraduncan1
Steve Homan, CTO, The Instant Group
The Instant Group – the world’s largest digital marketplace for flexible workspace - has appointed Steve Homan as their new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Experienced in partnering with CEOs and stakeholders to accelerate business, Steve was most recently the VP of Engineering at Beacon, for whom he remains an advisor, and spent three years as CTO for Metapack Group. Steve is also on the Digital Advisory Panel for the Gambling Commission.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sthoman
Charlotte Langley, Chief Customer Officer, Bloom & Wild
After two years in roles as VP Brand & Communications and Brand & Communications Director at Bloom & Wild – Europe's #1 online flower company – Charlotte has been promoted to Chief Customer Officer. Experienced in brand strategy and building campaigns rooted in customer insight, Charlotte was previously Head of Marketing UK & Europe at Nude by Nature, and Group Brand Manager at L'Oréal.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-langley-54825116
Ruth Twomey, Senior Lead VIP & Membership, Selfridges
Ruth Twomey has been promoted to Senior Lead VIP & Membership at Selfridges. Founded by American entrepreneur, Harry Gordon Selfridge, in 1909, and widely regarded as the first and best example of a modern department store, Selfridges was awarded Top 10 Most Loved Workplace in the UK for 2022 by Newsweek International. A performance-driven luxury marketing professional, with strong retail experience, Ruth previously held the role of Category Experience Lead.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-twomey-26223549
Rasila Vaghjiani, Executive Vice President of Transformation, De Beers Group
Luxury diamond brand, De Beers Group, has promoted Rasila (Ras) Vaghjiani to Executive Vice President of Transformation. With a strong commercial and technical background, Rasila has spent more than four years at De Beers Group, with previous roles including: SVP Brands & Consumer Markets - Transformation & HR: and HR Director, Consumer & Brands and Strategy & Innovation. She was also Director of People and Retail at ghd, and Head of HR at Hotel Chocolat. Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group said, “I’m delighted to have Ras join the Executive Committee. We have a huge wealth of talent in the Group with expertise right across the diamond value chain. Adding the breadth and depth of skills of the new appointees to the ExCo will be of great benefit as we continue to implement our strategy. Inspirational leadership is key to the success of any business and in these new appointments I know we have exactly that."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasila-v-83b5a272
We wish these senior leaders the very best for the future. If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Warmest regards,
the Suzie Walker Executive Search team
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing and digital roles in consumer-facing FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
