eXPD8 appoints Lucy Bains as Chief Operating Officer

eXPD8 has appointed Lucy Bains as Chief Operating Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the business continues to accelerate growth and expand its operational capability amid increasing pressure across the retail sector.

Bains joins eXPD8 with extensive experience leading large-scale retail operations and transformation programmes, having built her career from the shop floor upwards, through senior roles spanning FMCG, toys and entertainment, technology, pet care, wellness and services. Her background combines deep operational retail expertise with a passion for simplifying operations and delivering meaningful results for clients and customers alike.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for retailers and consumer brands, which continue to face rising labour costs, intense price competition and fluctuating consumer demand. As businesses look for more flexible and efficient ways to maintain standards in-store while protecting margins, demand for agile retail execution and field support services is continuing to grow.

eXPD8, which supports some of the UK’s leading retailers and consumer brands with merchandising, compliance, auditing and field marketing services, is targeting double digit year-on-year growth across key categories such as beauty and wellness, clothing, mobile and entertainment as well as strengthening partnerships with existing clients.

The business continues to invest in scalable, insight-led retail solutions designed to improve availability, visibility and execution at shelf edge. Bains’ experience in using data and insight to drive operational improvements and customer experience initiatives will play a key role in helping brands respond to rapidly changing shopper behaviours and retail trends.

To support its growth ambitions, eXPD8 will be focused on recruiting over 750 roles nationwide, creating entry-level opportunities in the retail sector, those seeking flexible evening and weekend work, and individuals looking to build long-term retail careers – reflecting Bains’ own progression from shop floor to senior leadership and ongoing passion for developing people.

As demand grows for agile retail execution, so too does the need for a flexible and adaptable workforce. eXPD8’s recruitment drive responds to the increasing demand for flexible roles, portfolio careers, opportunities for advancement, and inclusive working environments where colleagues can thrive.

The company remains committed to its equity, diversity and inclusion agenda and is continuing to invest in initiatives that support accessibility and opportunity across the workforce. eXPD8 is currently the only retail merchandising business recognised as a Disability Confident Leader and to feature in the Financial Times UK’s Best Employers 2026.

In her role as COO, Bains will focus on operational performance, enhancing client delivery, driving sustainable growth and further strengthening eXPD8’s people-first culture.

Lucy Bains, Chief Operating Officer at eXPD8, said:

“Having built my career from the shop floor to executive leadership, I’ve always believed that operational excellence starts with understanding the realities of frontline retail.

 Retail has always been about delivering great customer experiences, but the operational challenge behind that has never been greater. Retailers and brands are balancing rising costs, changing shopper behaviours and increasing expectations, all while trying to do more with less.

The businesses that will succeed are those that can combine data, operational agility and great people to execute brilliantly where it matters most – in-store.

That’s what attracted me to eXPD8. The business has built a strong reputation for helping brands and retailers solve those challenges, and I’m excited to work with our clients and colleagues to continue delivering smarter, more effective retail execution that drives measurable results.”

Mark Thurgood, Co-Owner of eXPD8 added:

“Retail is entering a new phase where operational excellence has become a real competitive advantage. As retailers look for smarter ways to improve availability, compliance and the customer experience while managing costs, demand for agile retail execution continues to grow.

 Lucy brings exactly the blend of operational leadership, commercial understanding and frontline retail experience needed to help us meet that demand. Her appointment strengthens our ability to support retailers and brands through a rapidly evolving retail landscape, while continuing to invest in innovation, our people and long-term growth.”