Claire Harper
Transform retail and marketing strategies with Claire Harper, speaker, retail innovation and brand transformation expert. Claire works with organisations to drive customer-focused change and entrepreneurial leadership, delivering insights from her success with Sainsbury's, Ocado and award-winning IndiaCoco.
St Albans, United Kingdom
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Claire joined Argos during a hostile takeover, facing challenges in people management, customer insight, and technological change. This experience fueled her passion for elevating brands. At 26, she joined Ocado as Head of Customer Acquisition, later becoming Head of Marketing. She played a key role in transforming Ocado into a customer-focused brand in the online grocery market.
After four years, Claire was headhunted by Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King to join his leadership team. There, she helped revitalise the brand and launched its multi-channel experience. Seeking a new challenge, Claire moved to Yorkshire to become the first female board director at Mamas & Papas. She focused on growing the brand domestically and internationally while fostering a positive company culture.
During her time at Mamas & Papas, Claire balanced her career with motherhood, welcoming her first daughter, Coco. She often speaks about the challenges of balancing work and family life. The birth of her second child, India, in 2011 inspired her to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions. In 2012, Claire launched IndiaCoco, a childrenswear retail business, from her dining room. The company quickly became a multi-channel market leader, winning numerous awards.
After moving back to the South in 2016, Claire returned to retail and consultancy and developed her speaking career. From 2017 to 2018, she served as Marketing Director for Frosts Garden Centres and is currently a Non-Executive Director for Blue Diamond Garden Centres.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Claire Harper emphasises the importance of leading from the front, embracing change, developing talent, and empowering colleagues to build a motivated and energetic team. Drawing from her experience in change management at brand leaders like Sainsbury's, she highlights the necessity of cultural shifts to support transformation. Attendees will learn effective strategies for implementing change management and fostering a supportive organisational culture.
Claire Harper discusses the essential tools for capturing the hearts and minds of both new and loyal customers. She emphasises the importance of customer engagement in today’s social media landscape, where positive interactions and reviews can significantly enhance brand loyalty. Claire shares lessons from her own experience, highlighting the value of building relationships with clients and understanding their needs. Attendees will learn strategies for fostering customer retention and innovative approaches to stay ahead in a competitive market.
Claire Harper shares her journey of transitioning from a corporate marketing director at Mamas and Papas to launching her own children's wear brand, India Coco. Balancing family life with her passion for entrepreneurship, Claire emphasises the challenges of startup life and the importance of learning from failures. Her experience highlights the significance of making decisions on one's own terms and the inspiration drawn from working with innovative founders. Attendees will learn how to navigate the ups and downs of starting a business.
Claire Harper emphasises the necessity of adapting customer strategies in today's dynamic retail and digital environment. She illustrates how customer segmentation, embracing change, and leveraging technology contribute to successful brand launches and growth. Attendees will learn to effectively segment their customer base, embrace innovation, and prioritise customer feedback, equipping them with essential tools for sustainable brand development.
Claire Harper discusses the ongoing challenge of the male-dominated business and retail sectors, highlighting the persistent gap in female leadership. She stresses the significance of self-belief, confidence, and risk-taking for women aiming for success. Drawing from her retail experience, Harper underscores the impact of male leaders who support women in senior roles. Attendees will learn effective strategies to empower women and foster meaningful change in the business landscape.
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