Liberty’s Head of Technology, Craig Pearce, is leaving the London department store due to redundancy after 17 years, as the business restructures its Technology team under an updated growth plan.
Four employees in the Technology team have elected to take voluntary redundancy following consultation with colleagues, Liberty said. The changes affect five roles across a business with more than 500 employees.
Liberty said the changes are not part of a wider company cost-reduction programme. It described them as “a small number of organisational and leadership changes” made following an update to its growth plan. Under the plan, e-commerce continues “to play an important role in the development of the business both in the UK and internationally”, the company said.
“We are, of course, not able to comment on any individual cases, but Liberty continues to invest in the growth of the business and the Liberty brand, with digital and e-commerce remaining a key part of that strategy,” it added.
Pearce announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on 23 October, saying he would leave “next week”.
“I’m very proud of all the work that’s been done, how Liberty has grown and, in particular, of the tech and digital teams, past and present, who have worked with me to deliver all of that,” he wrote. He is now seeking a senior technology role with a broad remit.
The restructure follows several senior appointments at Liberty this year. Lydia King became Managing Director of Retail in January, the same month Alex Pregnolato joined as Chief Financial Officer. In July, Laura Simpson was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer alongside her role as Managing Director of LBTY.
Last month, Liberty opened a Fashion Jewellery Gallery at its Regent Street flagship and reported year-on-year growth of 20% in jewellery sales.