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Debenhams Group has appointed Paul Aspden as its chief technology officer, as part of plans to accelerate its technology strategy amid its ongoing expansion. Aspden brings more than a decade of experience leading technology and digital transformation across the retail sector.
Since joining Debenhams Group in 2023, he has helped establish the group as an “early adopter of innovative technology”.
He was most recently director of technology, where he helped develop and scale the company’s proprietary technology ecosystem which underpins its marketplace model.
In his new role, Aspden will focus on scaling Debenhams Group’s technology platform, with “continued enhancements to make brand partner onboarding and management faster, smarter, and more seamless”. He will also oversee the expanded use of AI.
He has already managed several technical partnerships, including work with Peak AI on pricing and inventory. He also supported an AI skills academy with Multiverse. Under Aspden’s direction, the retailer also partnered with Mirakl to simplify brand onboarding, and collaborated with PayPal to launch an AI-driven shopping experience within the PayPal app.
His appointment comes as Debenhams Group continues to strengthen its senior leadership team, recently appointing Nikki Tattersall as chief product officer.
Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group, 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. I’m looking forward to working with the team to make the group an even more dynamic place to shop and do business with.”
