Very and Littlewoods owner Shop Direct has promoted retail and strategy director Gareth Jones to deputy chief executive.

Very and Littlewoods owner Shop Direct has promoted retail and strategy director Gareth Jones to deputy chief executive.

Jones, who joined Shop Direct in 2009 as brand director for Very, will retain his existing responsibilities for ecommerce, customer intelligence, marketing, trading and creative across the group.

Jones, who is chief executive Alex Baldock’s right hand man, is overseeing the development of Shop Direct’s new luxury brand Very Exclusive, which will launch during London Fashion Week in February next year.

Baldock said: “This appointment is recognition for everything Gareth has put in at Shop Direct. He’s a trusted colleague, an outstanding leader, a great ambassador for the business, and is playing a central role in building a world-class digital retailer here. I’m delighted for him.”

Jones has helped grow Very into Shop Direct’s biggest brand, which last year turned over more than £700m.

Prior to joining Shop Direct, Jones was managing director at Phones 4u Direct.