Online marketplace Notonthehighstreet appoints retail veteran Darren Shapland as its chairman
Online platform for independent retailers notonthehighstreet.com has appointed Darren Shapland as its new chairman.
Shapland currently serves as the chairman of the retail businesses Poundland, Topps Tiles and Maplin Electronics. He is also a non-executive director at Ladbrokes and Wolseley, chairing the audit committee.
The experienced retailer has also previously worked with other major firms. He was the chief executive at Carpetright between 2012 and 2013, and held a variety of senior roles at Sainsbury’s prior to that.
Commenting on his appointment, Shapland said: “I am fascinated by successful retail and e-commerce organisations and this really is one of the pioneers in its field and a true champion of small, creative businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Simon Belsham, chief executive of notonthehighstreet.com said: “Darren’s career experience and passion for retail will be beneficial to our business and the next phase in our ambitious growth plans.”
Notonthehighstreet.com provides an online marketplace for over 5,000 small businesses to sell their products.
Last week it secured a £6m startup loan from the Silicon Valley bank to fund expansion.