Argos Hires Head of Customer and Market Insight

British retailer Argos has appointed Ian Dobson as Head of Customer and Market Insight, based at its head office in Milton Keynes.

Argos offers around 43,000 products through its web site, mobile channels, stores and over the phone. The company, which is part of Home Retail Group, employs 29,000 people across the business, and for the financial year to February 2014, reported sales of £4.1 billion.

Most recently, Dobson (pictured) worked as an independent marketing consultant, focusing on developing customer strategies, conducting capability audits, and designing and delivering change programmes. Before this, he served as Client Services Director at business process outsourcing specialist Williams Lea; and he worked for the RAC as head of Brand and Marketing Communications, having previously been the firm's Head of Business Change.

In his new role, Dobson will develop strategies and offers driven by an understanding of customers and how they shop - working closely with teams across the business. He will report to Marketing Director Stephen Vowles, who comments: 'With 70% of UK households shopping with Argos, we have tremendous reach. In this key role, Ian will help to develop tailored and personalised shopping experiences, which support our ambitions.'

Web site: www.argos.co.uk .