Shop Direct appoints Lombard chief as CEO
LIVERPOOL-based home shopping group Shop Direct has appointed Alex Baldock as its new CEO.
He will join in September 2012 to take over from Mark Newton-Jones, who announced his decision in January 2012 to move on after almost nine years in charge of the business, which is owned by the Barclay Brothers.
Baldock joins from Lombard – the asset finance arm of Royal Bank of Scotland – where he is currently managing director.
He has previously held senior roles in corporate and commercial banking, as well as consultancy posts at Bain & Co and Ernst & Young.
Shop Direct said that he brings “outstanding experience in managing and growing complex businesses through change”, as well as experience in building brands.
He said: “I can’t wait to get started at Shop Direct. Mark and the team have built a strong business with great brands and fantastic products delivering strong growth and innovation.
“The group’s online, mobile and retailing capabilities are the envy of many and it is ideally placed in the increasingly online world in which we live.
“Whilst the economic and retail environment remains very challenging, with a strong stable of brands, clearly focused on delivering for their millions of customers, the Group is well-positioned for future success.”
