Meet the 2026 Speakers

Giles Smith is the former Head of Technology for Selfridges, responsible for the technology strategy and delivery of their Digital, physical retail and omnichannel technology. Prior to that he was the Digital Director for Burberry and has also delivered technology innovation and transformation at John Lewis, Arcadia, Matalan, Unilever, Diageo and more. He is a MACH Alliance founding board member and also a new judge on our prestigious People in Retail Awards 2024. He is currently advising, CTO, CPO, and CDO’s in various world-famous brands on broad aspects of Digital product, technology strategy and leadership.

Simon Spencelayh is the Managing Director at Robert Dyas, where he has been driving new business development and multi-channel sales since 2016. With extensive experience in eCommerce, Robert Dyas’ online business continues to grow from strength to strength, all through his Dropship strategy. His diverse experience has equipped him with key skills in multi-channel retail and strategic business development.

After joining the Angling Direct as Retail Transformation Director in December 2020, Craig Jones is now Chief Operating Officer of the UK and European businesses, responsible for retail store performance, growth, expansion and format development, logistics, both UK and EU distribution centres, central operations, and property. Prior to joining Angling Direct, he built a wealth of experience in specialist retailing and consumer facing organisations leading large teams across multiple functions. Craig was  previously UK Operations and Customer Experience Director at Weight Watchers accountable across 4000 site locations, business transformation, retail sales, customer experience and contact centres. He previously held the position of Director of Retail at Holland and Barrett, with over 1600 stores and has also held the role of Sales Director at Phones 4U.

Jan Duckworth began her career in interiors working with leading UK brands including Dorma. After moving into agency work and founding her own business, she joined marine tech and lifestyle brand Henri Lloyd.

After that, Jan worked at JD Sports and then helped drive Sofology’s growth. She has been Managing Director of luxury homeware brand Cox & Cox since March 2025. When not at the head office in Somerset, Jan lives in the Pennines with her three children and dogs.

With 16 years of experience at Lush, Kasey Swithenbank has dedicated her career to reimagining retail and championing high streets as vibrant, experiential destinations. Starting as a Sales Assistant in Lush Cardiff in 2010, she went on to manage the store by 2012, and later  stepped into a leadership role as a UK&I Retailer in 2017. Now, as Head of Retail for the UK & Ireland, Kasey oversees more than 100 Lush shop managers, driving innovation and growth across the business. She is passionate about the power of retail to create lasting memories, believing that Lush shops are more than just places to buy products, they’re spaces where customers connect with people, experiences, and the company’s values. Whether through immersive shopping, spa treatments, bespoke parties, or tailored consultations, she is committed to elevating what it means to shop on the high street. Beyond the physical retail strategy, Kasey is a strong advocate for equitable leadership
practices, whilst her focus remains on delivering exceptional experiences for both customers and staff while ensuring Lush’s retail presence continues to evolve and inspire.

Sophie Lynch has over 19 years’ experience across retail operations, customer experience, eCommerce and business transformation. She has worked from the shopfloor up to holding senior leadership roles at M&S and B&Q, with early career experience at Waitrose and White Stuff. Sophie is known for building high‑performing teams and delivering practical change that drives growth at scale. She is passionate about developing people, strengthening culture, and improving how businesses serve customers. Outside of her core role, Sophie is also co‑founder of Little Podcast, Big Conversations, focused on helping people live with purpose.

Jo Handley is passionate about engaging leaders to drive commercial results through impactful customer experiences. She is focused on leadership, development, and creating highly engaged teams that deliver exceptional retail performance. Jo is highly experienced across all aspects of retail, customer experience, sales, and training.

Shannon Osman is the Head of Retail at Footasylum, responsible for leading store strategy and operations across the UK. Since joining the business she has focused on driving growth, empowering teams, and championing a people-first approach to retail leadership.

Sam Haslam is leader of WTW’s Risk and Resilience Advisory practice, specialising in AI and Technology Risk as well as Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). He is chartered accountant, certified AI governance professional and holds the IRM’s digital risk management certification. Sam has 12 years’ practical experience across risk, audit and governance, both in professional services and as a Head of Enterprise Risk and Head of Internal Audit in a UK listed business. At WTW, he helps organisations in sectors including aviation, manufacturing, retail and logistics to understand, analyse and mitigate risks, in particular those relating to AI and technology.

As a strategic Global Head of Retail at Pentland Brands, Bob Neville specialises in driving revenue growth, optimising profitability, and transforming retail operations across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas. With extensive experience in P&L ownership, balance sheet management, and commercial strategy, he has lead high-impact initiatives that maximise margins, increase operational efficiency, and enhance brand equity. Bob is passionate about shaping the future of retail by integrating innovative retail concepts, strategic planning, and financial discipline to create high-growth, consumer-centric brands. 

Jonathan Penna is the Co-founder and CEO of Azio Beauty, the London-based hybrid skincare brand he launched in 2022 with Co-Founder Luna Cassan. Azio was built to challenge an industry where products are routinely marked up twelve times their cost, delivering clinical-grade formulations at honest, transparent prices. Azio champions a streamlined skincare philosophy: fewer products, better results, and no luxury tax for efficacy. Recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Jonathan is positioning Azio at the forefront of the hybrid beauty movement set to define 2026.

Ian Hunt is the Director of Customer Services and Procurement at Liberty, where he has played a pivotal role in elevating customer satisfaction and strengthening operational performance across one of the UK’s most iconic retailers. Since joining Liberty, Ian has transformed the customer services function – building structured onboarding and training programmes, improving team tenure and modernising omni channel support to deliver fast, helpful and human service that reflects Liberty’s unique brand ethos. Under his leadership, customer feedback is actively measured and acted upon, creating a culture where frontline teams feel confident and empowered and customer satisfaction consistently improves. Ian also oversees procurement for all behind the scenes essentials that support Liberty’s operations, bringing the same attention to detail and customer centric mindset to these critical functions. With roots in retail dating back to his first role at 16, Ian’s career spans eCommerce and CX transformation and he is known for blending practical problem solving with a passion for people.

Rowland Gee is CEO of The Shoklite Company, a revolutionary new urban cycling/scootering apparel and Director of AromaChimie, a company who supply nutrition for the farming, poultry and livestock industry. He was until recently the Chairman of The Board at Cell Workout Athleisure for the past four years. He is an experienced retail manager with over 35 years of public company experience in the retail, marketing and design sector – he was CEO of Moss Bros Group from 1989-2002 and helped develop Hugo Boss retail operations in the UK to 17 stores. With two co-authors, Rowland wrote The Retail Start Up Book published by KoganPage, which was released in 2019 and is specifically targeted at the retail start up community. He has also founded Grey4Gold.com (G4G) and has recently completed a contract to mentor retail businesses in Wales, and with Cherwell District Council, Shropshire Councils on re-invigorating town centres and on the restoration of the UK high streets

John Magill brings over 20 years’ expertise in creating exceptional retail environments, driving product‑merchandising innovation, and elevating digital experiences. His career includes influential roles at EE and Sky, where he helped shape next‑generation store formats, reimagined customer journeys, and advanced omni‑channel transformation. Recognised for uniting deep customer insight with forward‑thinking design, John develops standout retail concepts and brand‑evolution strategies that set businesses apart. He is dedicated to crafting transformative customer experiences that unlock new growth opportunities and position brands as true market leaders.

 

Ozan Deniz Hintbahar is a Senior Manager, Retail Operations at Adidas, driving operational excellence and team leadership, As well as an award-winning MVP in adidas EMEA, he was a ‘highly commended executive leader’ at the 2025 Retail Bulletin People in Retail Awards.

With a non-retail background in the music industry, Nigel French and his wife Caroline became the owners of Coles Books in 2008. The bookshop, already established Bicester since the late 1980s, has continued to grow with both a bricks & mortar and online presence.

Ryan Llewellyn-Pace is Founder and Chairman of Hay Life clothing, a new unisex fashion brand set to break boundaries as one of the first lifestyle brands to be fully dedicated to unisex fashion. He is also Founder and CEO of the Pace Partnership London (PPL). PPL is a consultancy business working with retailers and brands in the industry including the Frasers Group, Nobody’s Child and Spoke to name a few. Previously, Ryan has been in director roles of world’s leading rugby company Canterbury, working in the JD and Pentland Groups and Managing Director (UK&I and Global Distributors) with Barbour, one of UK’s greatest fashion success stories.  He has worked across US, EMEA and APAC from wholesale, global distributors, Global DTC (heading up Barbour’s Global E-commerce) and licensing.

Linda Campbell has spent 25+ years helping retail brands grow with heart, purpose and a wjole of energy. She has led and supported some of the UK’s most loved health  and beauty brands – Laser Clinics UK, The Body Shop, Space NK and Planet Organic – and is still endlessly curious about what makes brilliant retail work. Currently, Linda partners with businesses who are ready for their next chapter: evolving their retail strategy, strengthening their teams, and creating customer experiences that feel thoughtful, human and memorable.

James Coughlan is currently the CMO for Astrak Global. He has previously been Sales Transformation Lead at Arco, the leading retailer in keeping people safe at work. He is supporting the Sales Director & Senior Executive Team in the strategic execution of the company’s digital transformation with a data-first approach, through leveraging insights and analytics to drive improvements in group revenues. Past roles include Interim Head of Global Transformation, Digital & Data at Inspired Education Group and Interim Head of Digital & CRM, UK & Ireland at Northgate. James was Managing Director, Digital at HMV for three years from 2013-2016. He is an inspirational and transformational business leader, recognised for a deep understanding of enterprise technologies and quickly cutting through to the heart of the challenge.

Erol Ayvaz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Serve First, a customer experience platform helping businesses turn feedback into meaningful action. With nearly 20 years in technology, SaaS and customer experience. His past experience spans across Head of Enterprise for Northern Europe at Asana, Enterprise Sales Director at Fourth, and VP of Strategic Relations at Market Force Information, where he worked with enterprise customers across mystery shopping, audits and survey programmes. Alongside his technology career, Erol operated 12 Papa John’s and SUBWAY franchise locations, employing over 100 staff and gaining first-hand insight into the challenges frontline teams face every day. At Serve First, Erol champions AI-led insight using customer data, operational experience and audits, encouraging SMEs and enterprises to improve retention, revenue and recommendations. Backed by Mercia, Pembroke and Tiny.vc, Erol is focused on helping businesses scale with purpose.

Audrey Halpin is Enterprise Manager for EMEA at SafetyCulture, where she leads a team focused on helping retail and operations businesses raise standards across their store networks. With over five years in enterprise SaaS sales, she’s worked closely with organisations navigating the challenge of giving frontline teams the tools, training and visibility they need to perform at their best.

After 20 years of experince in the tech space, Lavinia Dumitrache is tapping into the fascinating world of consumer data insights within transaction  banking solutions at Lloyds Corporate & Institutions. Strategic, innovative and a dynamic sales professional, she has expertise in analytics, IT&C and Telco, with a true passion for client management and driving exceptional results.

Rupert Bateson is Director of Services at The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields, one of the largest homeless day centres in the country. He leads a multidisciplinary team delivering a wide range of practical and emotional support to people experiencing rough sleeping across Central London. Prior to this, Rupert worked in central government, where he led on the development and delivery of national rough sleeping policy