The Very Group, the parent company of popular online retail brands Very and Littlewoods, is undergoing a change in leadership as CEO Henry Birch steps down after leading the company for four-and-a-half years. However, the company has found a worthy successor in Lionel Desclée, the former CEO of Walmart Japan. Desclée will officially take over the reins on September 19, just five days before Birch’s departure.
Desclée brings an impressive international background to his new role, having held senior positions at various reputable companies. Prior to joining The Very Group, he served as a senior advisor at McKinsey & Company. He also served as the president and CEO of Walmart Japan for three years, where he successfully led a team of 35,000 employees at Seiyu, a Japanese supermarket business. During his tenure, Desclée orchestrated a joint venture with online retailer Rakuten, enhancing Seiyu’s digital presence and furthering collaboration between the two companies. He also prioritized colleague engagement and customer satisfaction, resulting in an increased market share. Desclée played a crucial role in Walmart’s partial exit from Seiyu, successfully partnering with investors KKR and Rakuten.
Before his time at Walmart, Desclée held the positions of president and CEO at pet care specialist Tom & Co, overseeing operations in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Through a management buyout, he not only improved the company’s profitability but also introduced new store concepts and expanded its digital offerings. Desclée’s experience in the retail industry extends beyond Tom & Co, as he also held senior roles at global retail business Delhaize Group. Currently, he serves as a non-executive board member at both Tom & Co and BPost, a Belgian mail company.
Desclée’s appointment as CEO of The Very Group underscores the company’s commitment to attracting top talent to drive its growth and success. Under Birch’s leadership, the company achieved remarkable milestones, including surpassing £2 billion in sales in 2020 and delivering record revenue and EBITDA in 2021. Birch played a vital role in transforming the company, overseeing a rebranding effort, establishing an automated fulfilment centre, emphasizing AI-powered customer service channels, and leading the company through the challenges brought by the pandemic.
With Desclée now at the helm, The Very Group is poised for continued growth and innovation in the highly competitive online retail space. His extensive experience and proven track record make him a valuable asset to the company as it strives to maintain its position as a leader in the industry.
Retail Gazette – The Very Group appoints former Walmart Japan CEO as new boss
The Very Group – Digital champion Lionel Desclée joins The Very Group as CEO
