Amazon UK boss to step down

The manager of Amazon UK has confirmed he is stepping down from the role, and is now set to assume the role of director at the Natural History Museum. 

Doug Gurr is currently the country manager of Amazon UK, and previously acted as president of Amazon China from 2014 to 2016, having first joined the retail giant in 2011. 

Gurr will remain in his role at Amazon until later this year, and a new UK country manager is set to be announced “in due course”.

Prior to his time at Amazon, Gurr taught mathematics and computing at the University of Aarhus in Denmark. He has also held senior roles in government and worked as a partner at consultancy firm McKinsey.

He was later board director at Asda-Walmart, and the founder and CEO of internet start-up Blueheath.

Gurr will assume his new role from current director Sir Michael Dixon, who announced his intention to step down last year. His appointment was approved by the Prime Minister.

A spokesperson from Amazon said: “We thank Doug for more than eight successful years at Amazon and for his leadership of the UK business in the last four.

“Doug will be missed at Amazon but as someone who has always been passionate about culture, science and learning, we’re delighted for him that he’ll be leading one of the UK’s great cultural and scientific institutions.”

Gurr said: “The Natural History Museum’s vision of a future where people and planet thrive has never been more relevant and it is a privilege to be invited to lead this globally important cultural and scientific institution.

“I am passionate about the work the Museum is doing to tackle the planetary emergency by using its unrivalled collection and leading scientific research to connect millions of people a year with nature. I can’t wait to join the team.”