Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based VP’ operating in the Retail space. If you think a VP’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Kevin Lee
VP, Chief Product Officer of eBay
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About eBay: eBay is an online marketplace that connects a global network of buyers and sellers.
Susannah Clark
VP Communications, Global of Farfetch
Susannah is Communications Partner at EQT Ventures. Susannah works with portfolio companies to define their communications strategies, and helps them with storytelling and PR strategies. Before she joined EQT Ventures, Susannah was VP Communications globally for King Digital Entertainment, makers of the hit game franchise,Candy Crush. In this role, she ran corporate communications (helping the company IPO on the NYSE, and later with its acquisition by Activision Blizzard), consumer PR and internal communications around the world. Previously, Susannah has worked in communications and PR for companies including MoneySuperMarket, Apple, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Match.com and Motorola both in the UK and Australia. She has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Sydney. Susannah has a strong personal interest and involvement in the not-for-profit sector. She is the Chair of the Next Generation Committee for the UK youth charity, Leap Confronting Conflict, and a Trustee of the PTEN Research Foundation.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Sara Wood
Global VP Product Management of Farfetch
At Farfetch, Sara oversees all Global Consumer Products. Her team works across product management, design, and analytics in all Farfetch markets. Sara sits on the Farfetch Executive Board and is a member of the Strategy Committee. Sara joined Farfetch in October 2017 and is responsible for strategy and development of all consumer-centric products including; marketplace, platform, ecommerce, mobile, marketing, personalization, payments, loyalty, and inspiration. Sara’s experience prior to Farfetch spans 20 years as a product leader at the intersection of content, community, and technology as well as being an Early-stage Startup Advisor.
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About Farfetch, Salon Media Group: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Kelly Kowal
Executive Vice President, Farfetch Platform Solutions (FPS) of Farfetch
As Managing Director of Farfetch Black & White, Kelly’s role is focused on leading her team to build revolutionary multi-channel e-commerce solutions and operating e-commerce sites for luxury brands and retailers. Kelly sits on the Farfetch Executive Board. Kelly joined Farfetch in 2010 to build and lead all digital marketing initiatives including customer acquisition, retention and engagement. Within her time at Farfetch, she also led the international growth and development strategy, overseeing expansion and localisation for all markets. Kelly’s background is in internet marketing and e-commerce, with her experience spanning over 15 years.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Sandrine Deveaux
Executive Vice President, Store of the Future of Farfetch
Sandrine is at the helm of Farfetch’s retail innovation vision ‘Store of the Future’ and is responsible for developing, executing and rolling out new, in-store technologies across Farfetch’s community of retail partners. Under Deveaux’s leadership, her team are focused on developing a pioneering mix of technology that will shape the retail experience of the future. Deveaux’s marketing, omni-channel and e-commerce expertise was honed in her previous roles at Harvey Nichols as multi-channel director and director of marketing and e-commerce at Matchesfashion.com. Sandrine also previously held roles at AOL and Bloomberg Media. Deveaux graduated from French business school ISC and holds a master’s degree in technology from ESSEC.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
James Maynard
General Counsel & SVP Group Legal of Farfetch
At Farfetch James is responsible for the management and service delivery of the Farfetch Legal & Company Secretariat team. James sits on the Farfetch Executive Board, is a member of the Strategy Committee and Co-Chair of the Risk Group. James has ultimate responsibility for corporate execution of all M&A activity, large scale commercial agreements, IP and brand protection and enforcement, compliance (including data protection and anti-trust), contentious employee matters, material litigation and managing the Farfetch Group’s legal and compliance risk. Prior to joining Farfetch in 2014, for almost a decade James worked as legal counsel to various online technology companies, having spent his formative professional life as a corporate M&A lawyer in a City firm.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Julia van Tuyll
Vice President of Investor Relations of Lion Capital
Julia van Tuyll is a Vice President of Investor Relations at Lion Capital. Prior to joining Lion Capital, Julia was employed by Vision Capital where she was involved with the implementation of the fund raising programme including raising capital from new and existing relationships. She was previously with the European Department at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in London. Julia graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne where she obtained an Honours Degree in International Politics.
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About Lion Capital: Lion Capital is a consumer-focused investor passionate about investing in brands about which people are passionate.
Nick Stone
VP Engineering of Bink
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About Bink: Bink develops a mobile application that links card payment to loyalty schemes.
David Hawkings
Vice President EMEA & Global Planning & Optimisation Practice of OLR
David Hawkings is the SVP EMEA at Antuit.
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About Antuit, OLR: OLR is retail industry experience to safely take our clients into an empowered commerce world.
Kevin Taylor
VP Communications of Ensygnia
Kevin is a highly experienced PR consultant with an impressive track record of success. Skilled in company positioning and messaging he is an accomplished writer and widely respected commentator on PR issues. Well connected, with wireless technology and telecommunications a particular area of specialisation, Kevin is a valued member of the sales and marketing team.
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About Ensygnia, Jargon PR, Robertson Taylor PR: Ensygnia delivers integration Platform as a Service for large payment companies and corporations deploying omnichannel solutions
Samuel Heather
VP, Chief Technology Officer of KodyPay
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About KodyPay: Revolutionising in-person payments to grow your business with a trustworthy and innovative solution.
Natasha Fishman
EVP, Marketing of Authentic Brands Group
Natasha Fishman is the EVP of marketing at Authentic Brands Group.
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About Authentic Brands Group: Authentic Brands Group is a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company that manages the value of global brands.
Patrick Legro
Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer Staples Europe of Staples Europe
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About Staples Europe, Staples Europe: Staples Europe is an online platform that enables Staples customers to submit, track, and find rebates.
Michael Patterson
SVP of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa of DynamicAction
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About DynamicAction: DynamicAction is an analytics solution designed specifically for eCommerce, store, and omnichannel retail teams.
Michael Patterson
SVP of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa of DynamicAction
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About DynamicAction: DynamicAction is an analytics solution designed specifically for eCommerce, store, and omnichannel retail teams.
Stuart Pick
VP of Sales of Brightpearl
Stuart leads the UK sales team, responsible for onboarding new customers, supporting and growing Brightpearl’s network of channel partners, and the provision of new and additional services to existing clients. Stuart has worked in cloud technology since 2005, split between vendors such as intY and Oracle, and managed services organisations such as Specialist Computer Centres. Since joining Brightpearl in 2011, Stuart was initially responsible for new business sales supporting both the UK and US, and now acts as VP Sales in the UK. Stuart enjoys meeting new and existing clients and partners, and can often be found supporting and speaking at local ecommerce events.
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About Brightpearl: Brightpearl is the omnichannel retail management system that puts your orders, inventory, financials, POS and CRM in one place.
Anthony Payne
VP of Global Marketing of Brightpearl
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About Brightpearl: Brightpearl is the omnichannel retail management system that puts your orders, inventory, financials, POS and CRM in one place.
Gemma Brooks
VP Marketing of Dropit Shopping
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About Dropit Shopping: Dropit provides a digital handsfree shopping solution for malls and central shopping districts, delivering bags from store to door.
Mike Kershaw
SVP of Sales & Marketing of Renegade Tool Company
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About Renegade Tool Company: Renegade Tool Company
Olivier Kerckhove
VP / Founder of Storm5
Olivier Kerckhove is the VP and Founder at Storm5.
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About Storm5: Storm5 are global RetailTech recruitment experts, connecting organizations with the talent to drive their mission.
Dave Nicholson
VP Strategy & Partnerships & Co-Founder of Yoyo Wallet
Dave is a co-founder and VP Strategy & Partnerships at Yoyo Wallet, responsible for ensuring that Yoyo continues to innovate and scale in the digital loyalty space through building relationships with partners. Before starting Yoyo, he was co-founder and Head of Product at Zopa – the world’s first peer to peer lender.
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About Yoyo Wallet: Yoyo Wallet is a mobile payment, loyalty and marketing platform.
Geraldine Butler-Wright
VP of People and Culture of Yoyo Wallet
Geraldine joined Yoyo as their VP of People and Culture in June 2018. Her role is to curate an exceptional culture to attract, develop and retain brilliant minds to grow our awesome product. Geraldine, who has more than 15 years’ experience in HR, has worked across industries, to include heading up talent acquisition at Imperial College – the first university to adopt Yoyo, when the company launched in 2014. Prior to Imperial, Geraldine worked at PayPal, where she delivered strategic hires across EMEA during a period of rapid international growth. She has also lead change initiatives with global organisations, to include the US Government.
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About Healthily by Your.MD, Yoyo Wallet: Yoyo Wallet is a mobile payment, loyalty and marketing platform.
Jon Shimp
Vice President Risk Management of Louis Vuitton
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About Avivia Health, Kin Wellness, Louis Vuitton: Louis Vuitton is a French fashion house and luxury retail company.
James Bullock
Senior Vice President & General Manager of Tacit Knowledge
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About Tacit Knowledge, Tacit Knowledge: Tacit Knowledge is a Silicon Valley-based digital commerce consultancy that develops enterprise software to address extensive data problems.
Dom Blacklock
Vice President Programmatic, International of Active International
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About Active International: Active International provides support services for businesses in utilizing organizational assets.
Nicky Koopman
SVP Business Solutions of AEVI
Nicky is a pioneer in digital innovation and is responsible for bringing together AEVI’s digital business solutions. She has over 15 years’ experience working in broadcast media, eCommerce and FinTech industry – developing digital business & growth strategies and scaling these across markets and customers.
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About AEVI: AEVI provides a platform for merchant-facing businesses that enables them to upgrade to more agile, more data-driven propositions.
Michael Hazelden
SVP Product Strategy of OrderDynamics
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About OrderDynamics: Tecsys OrderDynamics is the leading distributed order management solution for mid-market retailers
Adrian James
VP Sales and UK MD of Walkbase
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About Walkbase: Walkbase, the in-store analytics and marketing platform for retailers and airports to personalize the omnichannel customer experience.
Adrian James
VP Sales and UK MD of Walkbase
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About Walkbase: Walkbase, the in-store analytics and marketing platform for retailers and airports to personalize the omnichannel customer experience.
Mao Yingying
Vice President of Aixuedai
Partner, graduated from Zhejiang University MBA, Germany Technische Hochschule Nürnberg MBA. Former president of Shenzhen Qifei Technology Co., Ltd. and vice president of Hangzhou subsidiary, representative of ISO9000 management. Depth participation in organizational optimization and process reengineering, the creation of subsidiaries and national business management, 5 years to complete full-time rapid promotion.
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About Aixuedai: Aixuedai is an online payment platform that allows students to buy items using monthly installment plans.
Pam Charris
Vice President Global Marketing of Nualight
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About Nualight: Nualight is a LED retail lighting company specializing in illuminating refrigerated displays and fresh food displays.
