We’re delighted to welcome Lucy Bains to eXPD8 as our new Chief Operating Officer.
Lucy’s appointment marks an exciting step in our growth journey as we continue to strengthen our leadership team and invest in delivering even greater value for our clients, colleagues and partners.
A leader who understands retail from the ground up
Lucy started her career on the shop floor and has since led large-scale retail operations and transformation programmes across a range of sectors, including FMCG, technology, toys and entertainment and pet care and wellness.
This frontline experience has shaped her leadership style and allowed her to appreciate the different pressures at every level of a business. She understands the realities of retail, the challenges businesses face every day and, most importantly, the difference great people and great execution can make.
Supporting retailers through a changing landscape
The retail industry continues to evolve at pace and retailers and brands are balancing rising labour costs, changing shopper behaviours and increasing expectations, all while looking for smarter, more efficient ways to operate.
Every day, our teams help some of the UK’s leading retailers and consumer brands improve product availability, deliver merchandising excellence, maintain compliance and create better in-store experiences. As demand for agile retail execution grows, we’re investing in our people and our capabilities to meet our clients’ needs.
Lucy’s experience in operational excellence, using insight to drive better decision-making and leading high-performing teams, will help us continue building on that success.
Investing in growth and creating opportunities
As we continue to grow, we’re creating more opportunities for people to join our team. We offer flexible roles for people looking to start or build a career in retail, alongside evening and weekend roles that fit around other commitments.
Lucy is passionate about developing people and creating opportunities for others to progress – something that strongly reflects our own culture. Her own career journey is a great example of what’s possible when talent is recognised and supported.
We’re equally proud to continue investing in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As the only retail merchandising business recognised as a Disability Confident Leader and included in the Financial Times UK’s Best Employers 2026, we’re committed to making eXPD8 a place where people feel valued, supported and able to build rewarding careers.
Looking ahead
As Chief Operating Officer, Lucy will lead our operational performance, continue to enhance the service we provide to clients, and help drive sustainable growth across the business.
Speaking about joining eXPD8, Lucy said:
“Having built my career from the shop floor to executive leadership, I’ve always believed that operational excellence starts with understanding the realities of frontline retail.
Retail has always been about delivering great customer experiences, but the operational challenge behind that has never been greater. Retailers and brands are balancing rising costs, changing shopper behaviours and increasing expectations, all while trying to do more with less.
The businesses that will succeed are those that can combine data, operational agility and great people to execute brilliantly where it matters most – in-store.
That’s what attracted me to eXPD8. The business has built a strong reputation for helping brands and retailers solve those challenges, and I’m excited to work with our clients and colleagues to continue delivering smarter, more effective retail execution that drives measurable results.”
Mark Thurgood, Co-Owner of eXPD8, added:
“Retail is entering a new phase where operational excellence has become a real competitive advantage. As retailers look for smarter ways to improve availability, compliance and the customer experience while managing costs, demand for agile retail execution continues to grow.
Lucy brings exactly the blend of operational leadership, commercial understanding and frontline retail experience needed to help us meet that demand. Her appointment strengthens our ability to support retailers and brands through a rapidly evolving retail landscape, while continuing to invest in innovation, our people and long-term growth.”
We’re excited to have Lucy on board and look forward to the experience, energy and leadership she’ll bring as we continue helping retailers and brands deliver outstanding results in-store.
Get in touch with us today at https://www.expd8.co.uk/get-in-touch
Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn to learn more about her journey from the shop floor to executive leadership, and watch the video below to hear her thoughts on her career, joining eXPD8, retail and AI.
