Fenwick has appointed Dixons Carphone’s interim head of group IT transformation David Cutts to be its first chief information officer (CIO), Retail Week understands.

The hire marks a significant step change for the 135-year-old department store retailer, which named former Co-op boss Richard Pennycook as its new chairman earlier this year.

In the newly created role, Cutts will be responsible for developing Fenwick’s fledgling online operations and establishing its first ever transactional website.

The retailer told Retail Week the long-promised site would be up and running in the next 12 to 18 months.

The appointment marks another step towards Fenwick’s professionalisation. Pennycook is the first non-family member to chair the privately-owned business.

Cutts joined Dixons Carphone in September 2015 and oversaw the transition of applications, infrastructure, service management and networks in the aftermath of Dixons’ landmark merger with Carphone Warehouse.

Earlier this month, Halfords poached Dixons Carphone’s Graham Stapleton to succeed Jill McDonald as chief executive. 

Fenwick interim chief executive Peter King said: “We are delighted to have David on board with us – he is hugely experienced in running large and complex IT environments. David will drive our strategy of becoming an omnichannel retailer over the coming years.”