Alibaba reshuffles UK team as Chande switches role

Chande, who has acted as managing director for the Chinese etail giant’s UK arm since last August, was appointed as the head of global strategy and operations for the firm last month.

In her new role, Chande will report into the etailer’s group director and president Michael Evans. 

Retail Week understands Chande will be more focused on Alibaba’s international growth strategy and business expansion in her new role.

However she will still be based at the group’s London office. 

Her role at the helm of the online retailer’s UK operations has been taken on an interim basis by Alibaba’s general manager for Europe, Terry von Bibra.

Von Bibra, who has previously worked at Yahoo and Amazon, took charge of Alibaba’s European arm last month after heading up the Chinese etailer’s German arm since last November.

He has been tasked with raising awareness of Alibaba’s offer amongst UK retailers until a permanent replacement for Chande is appointed.

He will continue to report to Evans in his interim role.

David Lloyd has also joined Alibaba’s UK arm from Google as business development director.

Lloyd will report to Von Bibra in his new role, which will be focussed on developing Alibaba’s relationship with retailers in the UK, Ireland and Nordics.

It is also understood he will be Von Bibra’s second in command and will oversee operations at the etailer’s UK office until a successor for Chande is found.

Alibaba’s current UK retail partners include Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Topshop and Mountain Warehouse.