Professional services firm Green Park hires PwC retail expert

Executive search and interim management consultancy Green Park has appointed David Oliver as senior retail adviser in its retail and consumer practice. Oliver was previously Head of Retail Consulting at PwC UK, having spent more than 16 years with the firm.

Established in 2006, executive diversity expert firm Green Park has consistently worked to aid its clients with efficiency, innovation and customer success. The recruitment firm is experiencing high volumes of demand of late, as clients bid to bolster their human resources in anticipation of a rocky road ahead. This is particularly the case in the retail sector, which has seen a tumultuous 2018 in the UK particularly.

In order to meet growing demand in this sector, Green Park has appointed David Oliver as a new Senior Retail Advisor in its retail and consumer practice. The role will see Oliver advise Green Park and its clients on retail industry trends, while leading the development of the next phase of research in Green Park’s ‘DNA Series,’ focusing on understanding ‘the retail executive team of the future’. Green Park’s retail services span executive search, interim executive management and leadership consulting and encompass organisational design, leadership development, diversity and inclusiveness consulting.

In a 35-year career as a consultant, focused on the retail and consumer sectors, Oliver has advised a range of leading UK and global consumer businesses on strategic and operational issues. Oliver previously held the post of Head of Retail Consulting at PwC UK, having provided advice to board level clients in the retail and consumer goods industries. He is recognised as an industry thought leader, having been a leading contributor to PwC’s ‘Total Retail’ insights series on the future of multichannel retailing.

Commenting on the appointment, Steve Baggi said, “I’m delighted that David will be supporting the development of our Retail and Consumer Practice. At a time of unprecedented change in the industry, his insight into the opportunities and challenges presented by digital disruption will prove invaluable.  He understands the need for business operating models to evolve and will allow us to sharpen our focus on the current and future leadership and human capital needs of our clients.”

David Oliver himself added, “The people challenge is at the heart of the digital transformation taking place in retail today. A new blend of skills is required and simply replicating what worked in the past is a recipe for failure. That’s why I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to work with Green Park, who have always been at the forefront of anticipating the changing leadership and people needs of their retail and consumer clients.”