Name: Tanya Lawler
Was: Director of digital and cross channel at Sainsbury’s
Now: Vice president of UK trading at eBay

Career background: Lawler was group commercial director for Argos and vice president of retail at Cap Gemini before joining Sainsbury’s in the new role of director of online in November 2007. She was promoted to director of direct channels and then director of digital and cross channel in June 2011. On taking on this role, she said: “It is our intention to become a true cross-channel retailer, enabling customers to interact with us in the way that most suits them.”

What is she doing now? In June this year, Lawler was appointed vice president of UK trading for eBay. She took up the newly created role two months ago and is responsible for driving growth for eBay’s business seller partners, which include Superdry, Bench, House of Fraser, LK Bennett and Comet. On her appointment, VP for marketplaces UK & Rest of Europe Clare Gilmartin said: “Tanya will help us ensure the business and experience of shopping on eBay continues to evolve to meet the demands of the modern shopper.”

At Sainsbury’s: Lawler’s list of achievements at Sainsbury’s is impressive. During her time there the retailer rapidly expanded its Click & Collect service to the biggest of the supermarket retailers - available in more than 900 stores. It also launched mobile online shopper apps for both groceries and non-food.

What’s next? Lawler will relish a new challenge at eBay - a retailer that is embracing cross-channel activity. This October, it conducted a survey that found 55% of consumers planned to use their mobile to browse the web more than they did last year and 39% said they planned to get inspiration for Christmas gift ideas and check prices and product details via their mobile.

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