Former Net-a-Porter IT director scoops CEO job at e-commerce startup

Richard Lloyd-Williams, formerly group IT director at The Net-a-Porter Group, has joined luxury online furniture, lighting and accessories retailer Discover&Deliver as chief executive officer.

Also joining the company is John Pillar, who has led technology departments at M&S and ASOS, as chief technology officer – completing a 10-strong team that founders Isabel Rutland and Stephanie Mähl have put together over the past four months.

Rutland and Mähl hope the premium e-commerce expertise from Lloyd-Williams and Pillar will help drive the next stage of growth for the business.

>See also: IT director Richard Lloyd-Williams leaves Net-A-Porter, Hugh Fahy gets new group CIO role

Self-described as a ‘worldwide online emporium of superfine design’, Discover&Deliver curates a careful edit of desirable and collectable pieces of design from the interiors of luxury destinations around the globe.

Launched in September 2012, the e-tailer displays authentic and original pieces in situ – as used by world-class designers and architects – with products available to customise and purchase through the website and then delivered worldwide.

“The strength of the vision of Isabel and Stephanie to build a global luxury design website, coupled with the talent and passion in the tight-knit team, were what really excited me about joining Discover&Deliver,” said Lloyd-Williams, who has also worked on IT projects for John Lewis and the United Nations.

The new team is in the process of rebuilding both the website and core internal systems to create an intuitive e-commerce site that presents products in a narrative context.

Using their knowledge of fashion e-commerce, in conjunction with the latest software engineering techniques and technologies, the company aims to transform the luxury furniture industry.

“The opportunity to drive how digital is used to showcase these amazing pieces of design, both online and offline, is very exciting and I am thrilled to be a part of the team,” added Pillar.

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Ben Rossi

Ben was Vitesse Media's editorial director, leading content creation and editorial strategy across all Vitesse products, including its market-leading B2B and consumer magazines, websites, research and...

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