The Very Group names former BBC tech director as CIO

Online retailer The Very Group has named Matt Grest as chief information officer (CIO), with his role set to come into effect on 21 December 2020. 

Grest joins from the BBC, where he worked as director of digital platforms and oversaw the transformation of the corporation’s digital and broadcast products into a fully integrated tech platform. 

Prior to this, Great worked at news outlet Sky, where he acted as digital platform director and was responsible for IT delivery across the company including for Sky Sports, Sky News and Sky.com

In his latest role Grest will lead the retailer’s 350 people technology team as it attempts to transform its technology and platforms, and further improve ways of working to deliver a “positive customer experience”.

He will become part of the company’s executive board and report to CEO Henry Birch.

Birch said: “Technology and data underpin everything we do, including the digital journey that keeps our customers coming back to Very. Matt is a talented technologist and leader, with a track record for driving strong performance through tech and new ways of working.

“Under his stewardship, I am confident we will continue to deliver the platforms we need to support our ambitions and make changes to the customer experience faster than ever before.”