itim Group plc, a SaaS based technology company that enables store-based retailers to optimise their businesses to improve financial performance, announced the appointment of Damian Hopkins to the Board of Directors as Non-Executive Director, effective immediately. Damian will take over from Frank Lewis who will be stepping down as a non-executive director of the Company, with effect from the next AGM. An update on the AGM will be provided in due course.

Damian is a respected, and highly accomplished entrepreneur, senior executive & business leader, he has operated within the global retail brands and licensing industry for over 20 years, having founded, built and sold three successful businesses in the sector. His career has encompassed all aspects of consumer fashion products, from value to luxury including retail, licensing, international distribution, manufacturing, wholesale, and e-commerce. Damian has a proven track record of launching, repositioning, and transforming consumer brands & retailers, and he has also been a director of Matalan where he developed and built their international business across 13 countries.

Damian was an early adopter of sustainability within fashion supply chains, where he was a pioneer of launching Fairtrade Cotton and recycled polyester garments in the UK in 2009. Damian and his associated companies have won multiple business awards for Licensing, Retail, and fashion supply. He has also taken numerous voluntary roles supporting the retail industry including, The Retail Trust Charity, where he was Chairman of the fundraising committee 2018/19, and is currently Co-Chair of the Retail Trust Ambassadors.

He is also the elected President of The Twenty Club - founded in 1897, the Twenty Club is an exclusive retail specific club that supports retail fellowship for senior retail and brand owners & executives.