Digital Entrepreneur Takes the Helm at THG’s Ingenuity

A leading digital entrepreneur has been appointed as the first chair of Ingenuity, the comprehensive commerce arm of the online retail giant THG, based in Manchester. Alistair Crane, a prominent figure in the technology and payments industry, has assumed the role of chairman and is poised to spearhead initiatives to drive growth in key markets, particularly in the United States.

Matt Moulding, the chief executive of THG, underscored the pivotal role of Ingenuity within the organization, emphasizing its potential to substantially increase the group’s revenue and overall value in the long run. Alistair, who officially commenced his role at THG on January 2, 2024, is currently the chief executive of Bloom, a digital career coaching company with a strong focus on working with prominent brands. With over two decades of experience, Alistair has earned a stellar reputation for establishing, expanding, and successfully exiting e-commerce enterprises in both the UK and US.

Prior to his tenure at Bloom, Alistair founded Grapple, a company specializing in the development of mobile applications for brands, which was later acquired by Monitise. He also founded HERO, a social shopping platform, which was bought by Klarna in 2021. Alistair’s appointment aligns with Ingenuity’s strategic shift towards catering to more complex, high-margin Enterprise clients, a transition that gained momentum in 2023.

In his capacity as chairman, Alistair will offer invaluable support to the senior leadership team at Ingenuity, leveraging his extensive experience and extensive network to facilitate the expansion of the business in the US market. Ingenuity’s comprehensive commerce solution, which encompasses an array of services ranging from technology to marketing and operations, is primed for further expansion in the US. The company aims to forge strategic partnerships with major Enterprise clients across key sectors such as nutrition, wellness, prestige beauty, retail, and food and beverage as part of its growth strategy.

Some of Ingenuity’s current partners include industry behemoths such as L’Oreal, Matalan, and Asda, underscoring the company’s prowess in fostering high-profile collaborations. Matt Moulding expressed his warm welcome to Alistair, expressing eagerness to tap into his drive and expertise, given his impressive track record of nurturing digital brands and propelling high-growth ventures. Alistair, in turn, articulated his enthusiasm for the opportunity, highlighting his confidence in Ingenuity’s robust suite of digital marketing, technology, and operational capabilities.

He expressed his keen interest in working alongside the senior leadership team to propel Ingenuity to new heights, seizing upon the substantial growth opportunities that lie ahead. The convergence of Alistair’s wealth of experience and Ingenuity’s vision for expansion signals a promising trajectory for THG’s pivotal commerce arm.

In conclusion, Alistair Crane’s appointment as the inaugural chair of Ingenuity underscores THG’s strategic commitment to driving growth and innovation within its core business segments. His appointment marks a pivotal moment in Ingenuity’s evolution, with his expertise and vision poised to create new opportunities for the company’s expansion, particularly in the US market.