Move of the week: Notonthehighstreet lands Asos tech whizz

That’s certainly the case with Richard Zubrik, who is set to leave his role as Asos’ technology director to become chief technology officer at Notonthehighstreet.com.

It’s easy to see why Zubrik’s CV made it to the top of the pile. Notonthehighstreet has a complex legacy IT system it is looking to modernise and Zubrik has the technical skills to deliver. During his time at Asos, he has led a move to micro services architecture and the cloud, as well as a major platforming programme ahead of Black Friday in 2016.

Zubrik also boasts seven years’ experience at Tesco where he ran a transformation programme merging the retailer’s F&F and Direct businesses on to a single platform.

With a wealth of expertise in software development, programme and service management, Zubrik is well qualified to overhaul Notonthehighstreet’s IT systems and improve the online experience at a critical time in the brand’s development.

“Capturing talent like Zubrik from a tech leader like Asos is a good start for Notonthehighstreet”

The core UK business reported a 10% fall in sales to £36.6m in the year to March 2018, while gross sales through its website fell 12% to £144.9m, as marketing expenditure was cut to bolster profitability. Losses have narrowed as a result but the business, which has been in the vanguard of the marketplace trend for the past decade, needs to continue to innovate and improve if it is to keep pace with its rivals.

A period of management stability would also be welcome. The etailer was without a dedicated CEO for six months following the departure of Simon Belsham in September 2017 until Barrie Seidenberg took the helm in the spring.

Ecommerce director Ollie Scheers left the business in June after less than 18 months in the job, while CTO Richard Hilsey lasted just seven months before leaving in March.

In fact, the CTO role has become something of a problem position for Notonthehighstreet with Hilsey’s predecessor Hugh Fahy exiting in February 2017 only a year after joining from Net-a-Porter. Jack Bolles took the reins on an interim basis in August and will be replaced by Zubrik when he joins in January.

Capturing talent like Zubrik from a tech leader like Asos is a good start for Notonthehighstreet. Keeping hold of him and allowing him to work his IT wizardry is the essential next step.