Fortnum and Mason bags its first CIO

Retailer hires Whistles' director of IT and logistics David Mold

Upmarket British retailer Fortnum & Mason has hired a CIO for the first time as the company bids to keep up with changes in technology.

The retailer has appointed David Mold, director of IT and logistics at women's wear retailer Whistles, as its new CIO.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mold started the new role just last month, after many years in various IT roles within the retail industry. These include stints at Debenhams, Arcadia Group and Rubicon Retail.

Most recently he spent three years at Aurora Fashions as head of IT development, and moved to Whistles in June 2010 where he worked for just over four years.

Fortnum & Mason chief executive Ewan Venters told Retail Week that the new position demonstrates the organisation's belief in technology as it "looks to the next 300 years of Fortnum & Mason".

Founded in 1707 and today owned by Wittington Investments, the famous company operates out of just three locations. The new appointment, though, indicates that the company has some major IT investments planned. "We need to be on the edge of technology and modernisation," added Venters.