Fast-growing Bristol tech firm Huboo has made another addition to its top team with the appointment of a former Just Eat director as its new chief product and technology officer.
The company – whose technology enables online retailers to access and complete end-to-end fulfilment operations – said Ben Shipway would play an “instrumental” role as it prepares to expand into new global territories this year.
Mr Shipway has 20 years of experience in building and running software products across many sectors and for global tech firms, including most recently with the online food order and delivery service.
He also previously worked for insurance firm the JLT Group and IT firm Endava.
Mr Shipway will report directly to Huboo’s chief executive and co-founder Martin Bysh, and will be based at the firm’s head office in Bristol’s Old City.
The appointment follows other recent senior hires to Huboo’s boardroom, with former FedEx boss Allan Blakeley joining as chief operations officer and former Royal Air Force (RAF) commander Gordon Bruce recruited as chief of staff.
Mr Shipway said: “I am absolutely delighted to join a successful organisation such as Huboo and am hugely excited about the fantastic opportunities ahead of us. The business is at the top of its game and my goal is to take it to the next level by supercharging our global growth through the application of forward thinking technology and valuable product change.
“I’ll be working to create the highest performing product and technology team to rival the world’s best technology companies, cementing Huboo’s future as a market leading eCommerce and fulfilment provider, and beyond!”
Mr Bysh added: “Ben brings with him vast expertise which makes him an ideal match for Huboo as we continue on our ambitious growth trajectory. What we need to meet our strategic goals is someone who can provide invaluable insights and guidance around new products and technology.
“Without doubt, Ben’s unrivalled skill-set will provide us with the means to do so. That said, we’re excited to enter the next stage of our development with our latest C-suite appointment.”
Launched by Mr Bysh and Paul Dodd from two secure storage rooms at a Safestore in Bath in 2017, Huboo has grown from two employees, 60 customers and £20,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR), to more than 1,000 customers and £1.7m MRR in five years.
Last year it began expanding its operations across Europe, opening warehouses in Germany, The Netherlands and Spain, while it recently opened it largest UK base to date in Wiltshire, which will create 400 jobs.
The firm said earlier this year it had more than doubled its workforce in the space of 12 months, having added 340 employees since February 2021 – taken its overall headcount to around 600.
The company was identified in a Government report last year as one of three Bristol tech firms expected to attain a “unicorn” valuation of more than US$1bn over the coming years.
