// Fortnum & Mason appoints Iain Robertson in the newly created role of chief operating & innovation officer
// Robertson is currently senior VP of global planning & inventory at Burberry
Fortnum & Mason has appointed Ian Robertson as the newly created Chief Executive Officer and Innovation Officer.
Robertson is set to join the luxury British retailer in February 2022 and will be responsible for supply chain and logistics.
He joins from Burberry, where he spent 17 years, holding the position of Senior Vice President of Global Planning and Inventory.
READ MORE: Fortnum & Mason prioritises tech use to improve customer service
He has also led the creation of a “forward-thinking fashion supply chain model” and contributed to different customer-focused programmes that affected sales for the brand.
This latest appointment sees the completion of Fortnum & Mason’s executive team a year after chief executive Tom Athron took over the department store retailer’s helm.
In his new role, Robertson will improve the customer experience, incorporate “state-of-the-art thinking” into operational efficiency and warehouse management, and enable more scalable operations and growth for Fortnum’s businesses around the world.
He said he would help build logistics capabilities while his responsibilities also include leadership in Fortnum’s Innovation Agenda – the business-wide responsibility to initiate, test, and learn the rapid deployment of new ideas and initiatives designed to improve the customer experience.
Fortnum & Mason chief executive Tom Athlon said: “Ian has shown incredible innovation in his time at Burberry. I see how he works with supply chains and logistics teams to further transform what he is doing in Fortnum. As our first Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Innovation, we look forward to leveraging his amazing experience in the luxury sector. “
Robertson added: “I am excited to be coming on board to such an iconic British brand, one that I have long admired from afar,”
“Come February, I’ll be diving into the behind the scenes at Fortnum’s and working with Tom and the wider team to continue the ambitious plan to better serve our customers around the world.”
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