RTIH Innovation Awards
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards FAQs
2026 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS FAQs
The eighth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries.
The awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2027, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Sign up for an account and submit your entry or entries here.
Key dates for 2026
Friday, 20th February: Awards open for entries
Friday, 2nd October: Awards entry deadline
Tuesday, 6th October: 2026 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 7th October - 20th October: Judging days
Wednesday, 4th November: Winners announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London
Download a sample entry form here.
Please email our awards team if you have any questions or need further information: awards@retailtechinnovationhub.com
FAQs
Is there a fee to enter the awards?: It is free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.
Can I enter across multiple categories: Yes.
Do I need to complete all the sections in the entry form? No, but the more information you provide, the better chance you have of producing a successful submission.
Is there a certain timeframe for nominated projects, initiatives etc? Yes, nominated projects, initiatives etc should have been completed (or substantially completed) during the last 12 months.
Who has visibility of our completed entry form and what information will be public should we win or be shortlisted? Only our Editor, Scott Thompson, and judging panel will view submissions. The information provided in the summary section of the entry form will be made public.
Do you only accept entries from UK-based companies? No, we accept entries from all parts of the world.
What is the shortlists process? Shortlists will be announced in October, then shortlisted entries will be sent to our independent judging panel who will decide upon the winners and highly commended submissions.
Shortlisted companies will be invited to attend an event at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November (consisting of a drinks reception, three course meal and awards ceremony).
Do winners and highly commended companies receive post-event coverage? Yes, post-event coverage includes articles on our website and also an in-depth awards review in our printed magazine. There is also the opportunity for a company profile type piece to be published on our site.
Who won what in 2025? Check out our 2025 winners here.
When is the deadline for 2026 submissions? 2nd October 2026.
When will the 2026 winners be revealed? Our 2026 winners will be announced at an event at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November (consisting of a drinks reception, three course meal and awards ceremony).
Who will be judging the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards?
Christiana Hawes, Senior Director Retail Experiences Technology, Worldwide Studio Tours & Retail, Warner Bros. Discovery
Dan McGrath, JD Group Customer Operations, JD Sports
Prabhat Johl, Director of Data Science, Walmart
Yatin Garg, Senior Manager, Product & Engineering, Amazon
Glen Richardson, Non-Executive Director, PoundFun, former COO at The Range and CMO at Fruugo
Steve Webster, Founder & Principal, Barking Cat Advisory
Melissa Moore, Host of The Retail Tea Break podcast
Graham Broomfield, Managing Director, Austen & Blake
Rob Smith, Technology Officer, East of England Co-op
Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO, Holland & Barrett
Nadine Neatrour, Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Mike Cadden, Chief Technology Officer, Marie Curie
Carole Kingsbury, Chief Technology Officer, C&C Group
George Hayworth, Retail Director, Bringg and former Head of Q-Commerce Development, Co-op
Becky Lombardo, Founder, Londra Consulting
Christine Russo, Industry Analyst and Retail Influencer
Jack Dowling, Former Post Office and Frasers Group executive, Transformation Leader (Strategy, Product, Operations & AI)
Matt Taylor, UKI Chief Delivery Officer, Kyndryl
Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer, Boots
Ben Miller, Founder and Director, Bryher Bay Ventures
Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder, Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner, IGD
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards categories:
Category 1
Bricks and Mortar Innovation
This award will go to a retailer enabling physical spaces to thrive via innovative technology, even as online shopping continues to grow.
We’re looking for examples of reducing friction in the customer journey, offering improved experiences, and blurring the lines between channels.
Category 2
Supply Chain Innovation
This award highlights companies that are re-inventing and re-thinking retail supply chains via innovative advancements in technology.
Category 3
Payments Innovation
This award recognises payment initiatives that are both innovative and customer and retailer friendly.
We’re looking to reward a project that has the potential to increase a retailer’s competitiveness and effectiveness, and to improve the shopper experience. Bonus points if the project could be considered a first in the market.
Category 4
Most Innovative UK Retailer
Who has been the UK’s most innovative, customer focused retailer this year?
Judges are asked to look at highlighted tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric over the last 12 months.
Category 5
Most Innovative Retailer (Rest of World)
Who has been the most innovative, customer focused retailer (rest of world) this year?
Judges are asked to look at highlighted tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric over the last 12 months.
Category 6
Emerging Retail Technology Innovation of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
Various emerging retail technologies are blurring the lines between physical and digital retail, increasing operational efficiency and boosting customer experiences through the likes of automation, computer vision, machine learning, and AI.
This award will highlight projects involving emerging technologies across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results for retailers/brands and their customers.
Category 7
Retail Media Innovation - NEW CATEGORY
As the retail media boom continues into 2026, technology platforms are playing an increasingly important role, helping retailers build connected retail media propositions and enabling brands to target, optimise, and track campaigns with precision.
We’re looking to reward projects that have tapped innovative technologies to unlock revenue streams for retailers by monetising their first-party data and physical and digital stores, strengthening supplier relationships, and improving shopper experiences.
Category 8
RFID Project of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This category shines a light on how RFID solutions are helping retailers increase visibility in their supply chains and stores, gain operational efficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction.
We’re looking for successful implementations of RFID across the retail landscape, with use cases including inventory visibility, supply chain visibility, omnichannel offerings such as ship-from-store, buy online and pickup in store (BOPIS) and self-checkout systems.
Category 9
Digital Transformation Project of the Year
This award celebrates those who are at the forefront of digital transformation in the retail space, achieved through the deployment of innovative technologies.
Our judges will be looking for a company that has delivered a significant transformation project for a customer, such as integrating disparate systems, updating legacy technology, empowering the client to create seamless and personalised shopping experiences, and unlocking new possibilities to grow the business.
Category 10
Customer Experience Excellence
The Covid-19 outbreak has reshaped customer behaviour and their expectations of retailers.
This award will go to an online and/or physical retailer that has understood and reacted in a positive fashion to these customer trends and patterns, by providing exceptional omnichannel customer experiences, powered by innovative technologies.
Category 11
Omnichannel Retail Initiative of the Year
This award will go to a tech centric approach to retail that provides customers with a fully integrated shopping experience across bricks and mortar stores, online, mobile, and everything in between.
Category 12
AI Innovation
After a barrage of hype, the retail space is now seeing many examples of artificial intelligence creating value and efficiency.
This award will highlight AI projects across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results.
Category 13
Sustainable Retail Innovation
Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.
Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative technologies driving down costs in various areas.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.
Category 14
Best Data Analytics Driven Retail Initiative
This category shines a spotlight on innovative approaches to connecting, integrating and unifying data within retail organisations.
We’re looking for solutions that help retailers turn vast amounts of data into actionable strategies, whether through customer segmentation, demand forecasting, product optimisation, or real-time decision-making.
Entries should demonstrate how data analytics powered by cutting-edge technology solutions is helping retailers deliver measurable improvements across the business.
Category 15
Best Use of Automation in the Retail Sector
Many retailers are now embracing automation as they tackle various challenges and tap in to numerous opportunities across their businesses.
This award will highlight automation projects across the omnichannel landscape that have resulted in retailers rethinking their operations, resulting in improved productivity, enhanced customer experiences, and competitive advantages.
Category 16
Inclusive Technology Innovation
This category showcases what is being delivered in the inclusive shopping space, and shines a light on what is a huge, untapped retail customer/service market that suppliers and retailers are now really leaning in to and embracing more fully.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has tapped innovative technology to put inclusion at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its inclusive credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits involved.
Category 17
Technology Vendor of the Year (UK)
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
Category 18
Technology Vendor of the Year (Rest of World)
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
Category 19
Startup of the Year
This award will recognise the startup with the most innovative technology offering and the company which is best placed to succeed in the long-term (management, funding, the retailers it is working with etc).
Category 20
Hospitality Technology Innovation - NEW CATEGORY
This category spotlights the companies deploying innovative technology to redefine how hospitality companies (including bars, restaurants, hotels, cinemas and entertainment venues) operate and engage guests.
This award will highlight projects across the hospitality and leisure landscape that have resulted in businesses enhancing their operations, resulting in improved productivity, enhanced customer experiences, and competitive advantages.
Category 21
Technology Implementation of the Year (UK)
This award recognises UK retail technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between August 2025 and August 2026.
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Category 22
Technology Implementation of the Year (Rest of World)
This award recognises rest of world retail technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between August 2025 and August 2026.
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Category 23
Best Retailer/Technology Supplier Relationship
This award recognises a successful partnership between a retailer and a technology supplier, with an emphasis on the last 12 months and how said partnership has gone from strength to strength during that period.
Category 24
Overall Winner
Our judging panel will pick their stand out entry from across the 20 aforementioned categories.
Category 25
RTIH Editor’s Choice Award
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, will pick his stand out entries from across the 23 aforementioned categories.
Become a 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor
For further information on how to become a 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor, please complete the below form and we will get back to you asap.
Why become a sponsor?
✓ Position your brand alongside leading retailer and retail technology brands
✓ Network with retail executives both during the run up to and during the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November
✓ Gain access to post-event data capture and analytics with detailed feedback on sponsorship activities
✓ Showcase your innovative solutions to help retailers thrive in an omnichannel world via the likes of promotional articles both on our website and in our printed magazine, emails to our database of daily e-newsletter subscribers, and social media posts.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards categories
2026 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS CATEGORIES
The eighth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries.
The awards, 3D Cloud, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2027, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Sign up for an account and submit your entry or entries here.
Key dates for 2026
Friday, 20th February: Awards open for entries
Friday, 2nd October: Awards entry deadline
Tuesday, 6th October: 2026 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 7th October - 20th October: Judging days
Wednesday, 4th November: Winners announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London.
Download a sample entry form here.
Please email our awards team if you have any questions or need further information: awards@retailtechinnovationhub.com
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards categories
Category 1
Bricks and Mortar Innovation
This award will go to a retailer enabling physical spaces to thrive via innovative technology, even as online shopping continues to grow.
We’re looking for examples of reducing friction in the customer journey, offering improved experiences, and blurring the lines between channels.
Category 2
Supply Chain Innovation
This award highlights companies that are re-inventing and re-thinking retail supply chains via innovative advancements in technology.
Category 3
Payments Innovation
This award recognises payment initiatives that are both innovative and customer and retailer friendly.
We’re looking to reward a project that has the potential to increase a retailer’s competitiveness and effectiveness, and to improve the shopper experience. Bonus points if the project could be considered a first in the market.
Category 4
Most Innovative UK Retailer
Who has been the UK’s most innovative, customer focused retailer this year?
Judges are asked to look at highlighted tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric over the last 12 months.
Category 5
Most Innovative Retailer (Rest of World)
Who has been the most innovative, customer focused retailer (rest of world) this year?
Judges are asked to look at highlighted tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric over the last 12 months.
Category 6
Emerging Retail Technology Innovation of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
Various emerging retail technologies are blurring the lines between physical and digital retail, increasing operational efficiency and boosting customer experiences through the likes of automation, computer vision, machine learning, and AI.
This award will highlight projects involving emerging technologies across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results for retailers/brands and their customers.
Category 7
Retail Media Innovation - NEW CATEGORY
As the retail media boom continues into 2026, technology platforms are playing an increasingly important role, helping retailers build connected retail media propositions and enabling brands to target, optimise, and track campaigns with precision.
We’re looking to reward projects that have tapped innovative technologies to unlock revenue streams for retailers by monetising their first-party data and physical and digital stores, strengthening supplier relationships, and improving shopper experiences.
Category 8
RFID Project of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This category shines a light on how RFID solutions are helping retailers increase visibility in their supply chains and stores, gain operational efficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction.
We’re looking for successful implementations of RFID across the retail landscape, with use cases including inventory visibility, supply chain visibility, omnichannel offerings such as ship-from-store, buy online and pickup in store (BOPIS) and self-checkout systems.
Category 9
Digital Transformation Project of the Year
This award celebrates those who are at the forefront of digital transformation in the retail space, achieved through the deployment of innovative technologies.
Our judges will be looking for a company that has delivered a significant transformation project for a customer, such as integrating disparate systems, updating legacy technology, empowering the client to create seamless and personalised shopping experiences, and unlocking new possibilities to grow the business.
Category 10
Customer Experience Excellence
The Covid-19 outbreak has reshaped customer behaviour and their expectations of retailers.
This award will go to an online and/or physical retailer that has understood and reacted in a positive fashion to these customer trends and patterns, by providing exceptional omnichannel customer experiences, powered by innovative technologies.
Category 11
Omnichannel Retail Initiative of the Year
This award will go to a tech centric approach to retail that provides customers with a fully integrated shopping experience across bricks and mortar stores, online, mobile, and everything in between.
Category 12
AI Innovation
After a barrage of hype, the retail space is now seeing many examples of artificial intelligence creating value and efficiency.
This award will highlight AI projects across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results.
Category 13
Sustainable Retail Innovation
Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.
Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative technologies driving down costs in various areas.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.
Category 14
Best Data Analytics Driven Retail Initiative
This category shines a spotlight on innovative approaches to connecting, integrating and unifying data within retail organisations.
We’re looking for solutions that help retailers turn vast amounts of data into actionable strategies, whether through customer segmentation, demand forecasting, product optimisation, or real-time decision-making.
Entries should demonstrate how data analytics powered by cutting-edge technology solutions is helping retailers deliver measurable improvements across the business.
Category 15
Best Use of Automation in the Retail Sector
Many retailers are now embracing automation as they tackle various challenges and tap in to numerous opportunities across their businesses.
This award will highlight automation projects across the omnichannel landscape that have resulted in retailers rethinking their operations, resulting in improved productivity, enhanced customer experiences, and competitive advantages.
Category 16
Inclusive Technology Innovation
We’ve decided to carve out a separate category to showcase what is being delivered in the inclusive shopping space, and shine a light on what is a huge, untapped retail customer/service market that suppliers and retailers are now really leaning in to and embracing more fully.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has tapped innovative technology to put inclusion at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its inclusive credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits involved.
Category 17
Technology Vendor of the Year (UK)
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
Category 18
Technology Vendor of the Year (Rest of World)
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
Category 19
Startup of the Year
This award will recognise the startup with the most innovative technology offering and the company which is best placed to succeed in the long-term (management, funding, the retailers it is working with etc).
Category 20
Hospitality Technology Innovation - NEW CATEGORY
This category spotlights the companies deploying innovative technology to redefine how hospitality companies (including bars, restaurants, hotels, cinemas and entertainment venues) operate and engage guests.
This award will highlight projects across the hospitality and leisure landscape that have resulted in businesses enhancing their operations, resulting in improved productivity, enhanced customer experiences, and competitive advantages.
Category 21
Technology Implementation of the Year (UK)
This award recognises UK retail technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between September 2025 and September 2026.
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Category 22
Technology Implementation of the Year (Rest of World)
This award recognises rest of world retail technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between October 2024 and October 2025.
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Category 23
Best Retailer/Technology Supplier Relationship
This award recognises a successful partnership between a retailer and a technology supplier, with an emphasis on the last 12 months and how said partnership has gone from strength to strength during that period.
Category 24
Overall Winner
Our judging panel will pick their stand out entry from across the 20 aforementioned categories.
Category 25
RTIH Editor’s Choice Award
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, will pick his stand out entries from across the 23 aforementioned categories.
FAQs
Is there a fee to enter the awards?: It is free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.
Do I need to complete all the sections in the entry form? No, but the more information you provide, the better chance you have of producing a successful submission.
Is there a certain timeframe for nominated projects, initiatives etc? Yes, nominated projects, initiatives etc should have been completed (or substantially completed) during the last 12 months.
Who has visibility of our completed entry form and what information will be public should we win or be shortlisted? Only our Editor, Scott Thompson, and judging panel will view submissions. The information provided in the summary section of the entry form will be made public.
Do you only accept entries from UK-based companies? No, we accept entries from all parts of the world.
What is the shortlists process? Shortlists will be announced in September, then shortlisted entries will be sent to our independent judging panel who will decide upon the winners and highly commended submissions.
Shortlisted companies will be invited to attend an event at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November (consisting of a drinks reception, three course meal and awards ceremony).
Do winners and highly commended companies receive post-event coverage? Yes, post-event coverage includes articles on our website and also an in-depth awards review in our printed magazine. There is also the opportunity for a company profile type piece to be published on our site.
Who won what in 2025? Check out our 2025 winners here.
When is the deadline for 2026 submissions? 2nd October 2026.
When will the 2026 winners be revealed? Our 2026 winners will be announced at an event at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November (consisting of a drinks reception, three course meal and awards ceremony).
For any other entry related queries, email: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com
Who will be judging the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards?
Christiana Hawes, Senior Director Retail Experiences Technology, Worldwide Studio Tours & Retail, Warner Bros. Discovery
Dan McGrath, JD Group Customer Operations, JD Sports
Prabhat Johl, Director of Data Science, Walmart
Yatin Garg, Senior Manager, Product & Engineering, Amazon
Glen Richardson, Non-Executive Director, PoundFun, former COO at The Range and CMO at Fruugo
Steve Webster, Founder & Principal, Barking Cat Advisory
Melissa Moore, Host of The Retail Tea Break podcast
Graham Broomfield, Managing Director, Austen & Blake
Rob Smith, Technology Officer, East of England Co-op
Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO, Holland & Barrett
Nadine Neatrour, Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Mike Cadden, Chief Technology Officer, Marie Curie
Carole Kingsbury, Chief Technology Officer, C&C Group
George Hayworth, Retail Director, Bringg and former Head of Q-Commerce Development, Co-op
Becky Lombardo, Founder, Londra Consulting
Christine Russo, Industry Analyst and Retail Influencer
Jack Dowling, Former Post Office and Frasers Group executive, Transformation Leader (Strategy, Product, Operations & AI)
Matt Taylor, UKI Chief Delivery Officer, Kyndryl
Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer, Boots
Ben Miller, Founder and Director, Bryher Bay Ventures
Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder, Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner, IGD
If you are interested in being a 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.
Why become a sponsor?
✓ Position your brand alongside leading retailer and retail technology brands
✓ Network with retail executives both during the run up to and during the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November
✓ Gain access to post-event data capture and analytics with detailed feedback on sponsorship activities
✓ Showcase your innovative solutions to help retailers thrive in an omnichannel world via the likes of promotional articles both on our website and in our printed magazine, emails to our database of daily e-newsletter subscribers, and social media posts.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
2026 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS JUDGING PANEL
The eighth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries.
The awards, 3D Cloud, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2027, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Sign up for an account and submit your entry or entries here.
Key dates for 2026
Friday, 20th February: Awards open for entries
Friday, 2nd October: Awards entry deadline
Tuesday, 6th October: 2026 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 7th October - 20th October: Judging days
Wednesday, 4th November: Winners announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London
Download a sample entry form here.
Please email our awards team if you have any questions or need further information: awards@retailtechinnovationhub.com
2026 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS JUDGING PANEL
We’re pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards, including representatives from the likes of Walmart, Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery, Holland & Barrett, JD Sports, PoundFun, Austen & Blake, C&C Group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, East of England Co-op, and IGD.
We have brought together a broad spectrum of independent experts, who have experience and insight into different aspects of the retail technology industry.
Christiana Hawes, Senior Director Retail Experiences Technology, Worldwide Studio Tours & Retail, Warner Bros. Discovery
Bio: Christiana Hawes is a senior technology and data leader with international experience leading large scale digital and back office transformations and innovation initiatives. She has a proven track record of building high performing teams, and delivering measurable business impact across complex organisations.
Recognised for her strategic vision underpinned by expertise in disciplined execution, Christiana partners with stakeholders of all levels to drive growth, operational excellence, and technology advancement. She is passionate about harnessing new technology and data to unlock competitive advantage and position retail organisations for sustained success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Prabhat Johl, Director of Data Science, Walmart
Bio: As Director of Data Science at Walmart, Prabhat leads experimentation, causal inference, and data driven decisioning. Building scalable measurement capabilities, he uncovers impact drivers through post-experiment deep dives, and turns insights into actions that improve business outcomes across retail and operations.
Rob Smith, Technology Officer, East of England Co-op
Bio: Rob is a strategic and accomplished technology and people leader with over 20 years’ experience across the retail, finance, and IT sectors.
Renowned for building and inspiring high performing teams, he consistently delivers exceptional results while driving quality and innovation. Passionate about IT, data, service delivery, and business transformation, Rob excels at modernising practices and enabling continuous improvement. As Technology Officer at East of England Co-op, he leads the organisation’s technology strategy and drives forward its digital and operational evolution.
Melissa Moore, Host of The Retail Tea Break podcast
Bio: Melissa is a retail trainer and educator with over 27 years of industry experience.
She designs and delivers impactful training programmes and lectures, shaping the next generation of retail talent. Melissa works with teams across international markets to elevate performance through sales excellence, operational standards and customer experience.
An experienced conference chair and MC, she also hosts The Retail Tea Break podcast, bringing together retailers, brands and global industry experts. She has been recognised as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert and named in RTIH’s Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List.
Carole Kingsbury, Chief Technology Officer, C&C Group
Bio: From publishing to fashion retail, Carole has successfully delivered technology solutions and services for FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies. Whether working as a Technology Consultant, Business Analyst, Programme Manager, or IT Director, her approach has consistently focussed on people, process, data, and technology (in that order).
For the past 16 years of her career, Carole has been privileged to have led teams of various shapes and sizes to achieve delivery of complex business and technology change in the retail sector and has always advocated for cross-functional ways of working and thinking to encourage active collaboration and create a culture of continuous improvement, development, and innovation.
Yatin Garg, Senior Manager, Product & Engineering, Amazon
Bio: Yatin is a senior executive in AI driven financial technology with over 13 years of experience spanning Amazon, Boston Consulting Group, and Unilever.
At Amazon, he leads Product, Engineering, and Finance teams and built an AI powered auditing platform that has corrected hundreds of millions in contract discrepancies across eight countries. He has published articles on application of AI in financial systems, serves as Senior Editor at the Global Business & Economics Journal, and judges for the Stevie Awards and RTIH Innovation Awards. He holds an MBA from Kellogg and an Engineering degree from IIT Delhi.
Steve Webster, Founder & Principal, Barking Cat Advisory
Bio: Steve is a commercial operator with 27 years leading e-commerce and digital across UK, European, US and GCC markets.
He has led global e-commerce strategy and delivery at Barbour, held Head of E-commerce roles at Boohoo and Bensons for Beds, and overseen growth from £60 million to £240 million at MENA's largest consumer electronics retailer, where he also ran the online businesses for LIWA brands GANT and Castore.
He now runs Barking Cat, an independent commerce advisory practice that helps retailers find where AI genuinely improves growth, margin and productivity, build the business case, and avoid the expensive theatre. He judges from the operator's chair: less interested in the cleverness of the technology than in whether it earns its place commercially.
Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder, Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Bio: Over the past 25 years, Scott has held senior editorial positions at and contributed to a number of business and technology related publications.
Prior to launching Retail Technology Innovation Hub, he was Editor at crypto publication Coin Rivet and Senior Editor at IBS Intelligence, heading up their monthly banking technology title, IBS Journal and daily online news service. Scott also spent ten years at retail tech title, Retail Systems.
He launched RTIH as he believed there was a gap in the market for a source of independent retail technology news, analysis and research, written by people with a genuine passion for this fast moving sector.
Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner, IGD
Bio: Toby has almost 20 years’ experience working in the food and consumer goods industry.
He researches, analyses and presents insights on innovations, technology, retail futures, sustainability and macro trends in the FMCG sector.
Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer, Boots
Bio: With over a decade of experience, Paula is currently serving as Chief Data and Digital Officer at Boots UK, and contributing to digital transformation efforts through analytics and customer insight expertise.
She is also chairing the Boots Benevolent Fund and serving as a Non-Executive Director at Spire Healthcare Group, bringing diverse perspectives to leadership. Paula is skilled in leveraging data to drive actionable insights, aligning organisational goals with innovative digital strategies.
Jack Dowling, Transformation Director (Strategy, Product, Operations & AI)
Bio: Jack is a transformation leader who turns complex challenges into growth.
Having delivered meaningful innovation at Asos and Frasers Group (as well as several other cross industry clients), he recently led the Post Office through a multi-carrier, multi-channel overhaul that launched 14 new customer propositions services, added 60 million annual customer transactions, and halted a years long revenue slide. In the past four years, he has directly generated £120 million in new revenue and £20 million in yearly efficiency gains by fusing strategy, digital innovation, data analysis and hands-on operations.
Graham Broomfield, Managing Director, Austen & Blake
Bio: Graham is a retail and digital leader with 25 years’ experience scaling global consumer brands.
His work focuses on building customer centred cultures, modern retail systems, and commercially resilient growth models. Graham also advises retail and technology businesses on strategy and leadership. He is passionate about elevating customer experience, developing people, and creating meaningful, long-term value.
Dan McGrath, JD Group Customer Operations, JD Sports
Bio: With nearly 16 years at JD Sports and an entire career in retail, Dan is a recognised leader in retail technology and innovation. As Head of Customer Operations, he focuses on how emerging technologies can transform customer experiences and empower employees to perform at their best.
A true futurist, Dan explores the intersection of digital and physical retail, continually seeking ways to make the shopping journey more seamless, connected, and human.
Becky Lombardo, Founder, Londra Consulting
Bio: Becky is an international retail logistics expert with over 20 years of experience working with some of the world’s most recognisable retail brands across luxury, fashion, beauty, homewear, wellness and food including Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason, Asos, Dunelm, and Matchesfashion.
As the founder of Londra Consulting, Becky specialises in helping businesses navigate the complex, fast evolving landscape of global e-commerce and omnichannel logistics. She has worked across every major fulfilment model, from direct-to-consumer and drop ship to concessions and rental, giving her a uniquely broad perspective.
Becky’s career spans key global markets including the UK, US, EU, Far East, and the Middle East. She has led the development and implementation of transformative logistics strategies tailored to the needs of each region, helping brands scale profitably, adapt, and stay competitive in times of rapid change.
Matt Taylor, UKI Chief Delivery Officer, Kyndryl
Bio: Prior to Kyndryl, Matt worked at NCC Group. He has also served as a partner and the technology strategy and transformation leader at one of the Big Four. In addition, he has been a CIO and previously led large scale complex global IT transformation, delivery and recoveries for over 20 years at Accenture.
Privileged to have led international teams and worked in Europe, US and India, Matt has experienced an incredibly valuable range of cultures and environments with some of the world's most innovative brands.
He is a fellow of the BCS (Chartered Institute for IT), elected committee member of the IT Leaders Forum, volunteer mentor, early careers advocate and proudly included in the RTIH top 100 retail technology influencers list.
Glen Richardson, Non-Executive Director, PoundFun, former COO at The Range and CMO at Fruugo
Bio: Whether through AI driven marketing, e-commerce strategy, or investment connections, Glen helps brands scale fast and smart.
He is currently Non-Executive Director at PoundFun, and has also served as COO at The Range and CMO at Fruugo.
Christine Russo, Industry Analyst and Retail Influencer
Bio: Christine is an industry thought leader, Retail Technology Innovation Hub Top 100 Influencer, and the RTIH US correspondent.
She hosts the industry recognised leading podcast What Just Happened, where tech solution CEOs, leaders in retail and brands speak candidly about industry shaping issues and challenges.
With a career spanning roles in management consulting at Deloitte and executive roles in global store development, Christine’s experience includes top down analysis as well as serving time in the retail trenches. Based in New York City, she is the mom of three grown daughters and two naughty puppies.
Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO, Holland & Barrett
Bio: Vineta is an industry expert in the e-commerce and grocery industry, bringing several years experience in this space.
She spent ten years at Ocado Group, the FTSE 50 online grocer and technology provider supporting its growth and strategic M&A, strategic divestments and fundraising over £1.5 billion. She then took on the Group CFO role at Rohlik Group, a Pan European online grocer spanning five countries that has unicorn status.
Vineta recently joined Holland & Barrett as Group CFO. Her experience spans the US, UK, Europe and Asia. She is a finance, tax and business expert. She acts as an angel investor and advisor to a number of pre-series to Series A startups across a variety of industries and gives her time to supporting small businesses.
George Hayworth, Retail Director, Bringg and former Head of Q-Commerce Development, Co-op
Bio: George is a retail and last mile delivery leader with more than 25 years' experience across the grocery and retail sectors.
Having held senior leadership roles at Asda, Morrisons and Co-op, he has extensive experience delivering operational transformation, e-commerce growth and customer centric innovation at scale. During eight years at Co-op, he played a key role in building and scaling quick commerce into one of the business's most commercially significant growth channels.
In his current role at Bringg, George partners with retailers globally to help them deliver faster, smarter and more profitably. He brings a sharp focus on technology that creates tangible, measurable value - for retailers, operators and consumers alike.
Nadine Neatrour, Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Bio: Nadine is a board level omnichannel professional with full end to end e-commerce, marketing and retail experience from platform development to trading optimisation to community building to loyalty.
She is passionate about customers, experienced in cross channel retail and inspired by brands. Nadine is a thought leader in the retail space, and helps brands realise their customer opportunities through e-commerce, CRM, customer service, clienteling and digital in store experiences to grow sales, build loyalty and maximise profit. She passionately believes in uniting channels to create a truly universal customer experience that drives customer loyalty and surpasses global boundaries.
Mike Cadden, Chief Technology Officer, Marie Curie
Bio: Mike is an experienced transformational technology executive with an exceptional track record in strategic and technical management in retail and FMCG with a passion for using data to deliver powerful customer experience that drives increased revenues.
He has extensive experience in business and technology turnarounds and digital transformations which have delivered both multi-million year-on-year revenue improvements as well as significant six figure savings to PE, PLC and privately owned businesses.
Ben Miller, Founder and Director, Bryher Bay Ventures
Bio: Ben is a renowned retail analyst and commentator, whose work focuses retailer strategy and helping brand owners and technology companies trade better with their retailer partners through insights. He was previously global Vice President at Shoptalk, leading content at one of the world’s foremost retail technology events. He divides his time between Europe and the US.
Ben’s near 30-year career in retail has heavily leaned towards grocery, starting with marketing, commercial and investor relations roles at Safeway, through to leading the global insights, consultancy and events teams at IGD.
If you would like to be considered for inclusion on our 2026 judging panel, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.