Debenhams Group has appointed Paul Aspden as chief technology officer as it accelerates its technology strategy and deepen the role of AI across the business.
Aspden, who joined the group in 2023 and most recently served as director of technology, has played a key role in developing the proprietary tech ecosystem behind Debenhams Group’s marketplace model.
In his new role, he will lead the next phase of platform growth, with a focus on making brand partner onboarding and management faster and more efficient, while expanding the use of AI to improve decision-making, operations and customer experience.
The appointment comes as Debenhams Group continues to build on its turnaround, with the retailer reporting a 36 per cent year-on-year rise in full-year adjusted EBITDA to £53m for FY26, supported by a 76 per cent increase in second-half adjusted EBITDA.
Debenhams Group said Aspden had been central to its adoption of new technology across the business, including work with Peak AI on pricing, merchandising and inventory optimisation.
He also supported the launch of the group’s AI Skills Academy in partnership with Multiverse, designed to give employees practical AI capabilities and help address the wider skills gap.
Aspden has additionally overseen the group’s partnership with Mirakl as it expands its marketplace model, and recently helped drive its collaboration with PayPal to launch an AI-powered shopping experience within the payments platform’s app.
Debenhams said the move forms part of a broader strengthening of its senior leadership team, following the appointment of Nikki Tattersall as chief product officer to lead product strategy across its youth brands.
Chief executive Dan Finley said: “Having worked closely with Paul for the last 12 years, what’s always stood out to me is the way he combines strong technological expertise and leadership with real commercial impact.
“He has been instrumental in advancing the technology that underpins our marketplace model, while introducing AI-driven innovations that have supercharged both the customer experience and our operational efficiency.
“Technology has fundamentally transformed how we run the business, from stock and pricing management to how customers shop with us every day. The focus now is on scaling these capabilities further, and Paul’s leadership will be central to making that happen.”
Aspden added: “I’m incredibly proud to step into the role of CTO. Since I joined the business, the group has undergone a significant transformation, cementing its position as a leading online retailer while pioneering some of the most exciting innovations in the industry.
“There is a significant opportunity to go further, from scaling our platform and marketplace model, to embedding AI more deeply across the business and further enhancing how customers discover, explore and shop with us.”
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