Shop Direct hires former Wonga boss in board reshuffle

Tommy Jordan will join the etailer, which owns the Very brand, next Monday.

He was head of the payday loan company’s UK office.

He has also previously worked in retail banking and payments with companies such as Travelex and Lloyds Banking Group.

Shop Direct said Jordan will be responsible for “growing financial services income and improving the quality of the debtor book”, as well as “developing new, affordable credit products”.

Jordan replaces Neil Chandler, who has been assigned a new role where he will “focus on business development and innovation”.

The etailer has also said people director Sarah Willett has been promoted to group people director, also on the executive board.

Chief executive Henry Birch said: “I am delighted to welcome two exceptional leaders to our executive team.

“Tommy is an experienced and dynamic consumer finance professional. He has the qualities we need to continue growing our financial services business, whilst investing in new technology and delivering even better outcomes for customers.

“In Sarah, we have one of retail’s most experienced people directors. Her expertise and deep knowledge of our business will ensure that our talent, capability and cultural development plans remain aligned with our long-term strategic ambitions and priorities.

Shop Direct also said former group people director Jacqui Humphries and former group finance director Mark McMenemy will become non-executive directors.