Debenhams Group has appointed Paul Aspden as chief technology officer.
The parent company of boohoo said Aspden will help to accelerate its technology strategy as it enters its next phase of growth.
Aspden brings more than a decade of experience leading technology and digital transformation across the retail sector. Since joining Debenhams Group in 2023, he has played a pivotal role in establishing the business as an early adopter of innovative technology, transforming how the group trades, creates and serves customers.
Most recently director of technology, he has been instrumental in developing and scaling the group’s proprietary technology ecosystem which underpins its marketplace model – a shift that it says has been central to the turnaround of the business.
In his new role, Aspden will focus on scaling Debenhams Group’s technology platform, with continued enhancements to make brand partner onboarding and management faster and smarter.
He will also drive further innovation, including the expanded use of AI to enhance decision-making, operational efficiency and customer experience.
Aspden has already supported the integration of AI across the business, including working on key strategic partnerships with Peak AI to deliver AI-powered pricing, merchandising and inventory optimisation. He also supported the creation of the group’s AI Skills Academy, developed in partnership with Multiverse, to equip employees with practical AI capabilities and help address the AI skills gap.
Aspden has also overseen the group’s partnership with Mirakl, supporting the continued expansion of its marketplace model and simplifying onboarding for new brand partners. More recently, the group partnered with PayPal to launch an AI-driven shopping experience, becoming the first retailer in the UK to enable customers to discover, receive personalised recommendations and check out entirely within the PayPal app.
Debenhams Group recently welcomed Nikki Tattersall as chief product officer to lead product strategy across the group’s youth brands.
In March, Debenhams Group announced a 36% year-on-year increase in full-year adjusted EBITDA to £53 million for FY26 (to 28th February 2026), driven by a 76% increase in H2 adjusted EBITDA.
This is comfortably ahead of the previously upgraded guidance in the group’s trading update, announced in January.
Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group, said: “Having worked closely with Paul for the last 12 years, what’s always stood out to me is the way he combines strong, technological expertise and leadership with real commercial impact.
“He has been instrumental in advancing the technology that underpins our marketplace model, while introducing AI-driven innovations that have supercharged both the customer experience and our operational efficiency.
“Technology has fundamentally transformed how we run the business, from stock and pricing management to how customers shop with us every day. The focus now is on scaling these capabilities further, and Paul’s leadership will be central to making that happen.”
Aspden said: “I’m incredibly proud to step into the role of CTO. Since I joined the business, the Group has undergone a significant transformation, cementing its position as a leading online retailer while pioneering some of the most exciting innovations in the industry.
“There is a significant opportunity to go further – from scaling our platform and marketplace model, to embedding AI more deeply across the business and further enhancing how customers discover, explore and shop with us. I’m looking forward to working with the team to make the Group an even more dynamic place to shop and do business with.”