Senior appointment reflects the increasing value of location-based solutions in an uncertain retail climate

Windsor – Pitney Bowes MapInfo, part of Pitney Bowes Inc., today announces the appointment of Jonathan Clark to EMEA Strategic Industry Manager for the retail industry, based at Pitney Bowes MapInfo in Windsor.

A seasoned management and strategic planning executive with in-depth experience of high-budget projects (£50m +) in the public and private sectors, Clark is charged with developing location intelligence solutions within the European retail and retail property sectors. With over ten years experience with Royal Mail/Post Office Ltd, latterly as Head of Location Planning Network Reinvention and most recently as a consultant advising on multi-million-pound public and private property developments, Clark’s unparalleled credentials well equip him to spearhead Pitney Bowes MapInfo’s European retail drive.

“Amid the current challenging economic climate, and increasing levels of cross-border/channel trading activity, the ‘where’ in retail has never been more critical to retailers, planners and developers across the retail spectrum,” says Clark.

“Location intelligence is no longer a ‘nice to have’ for gaining a competitive edge; it’s an essential enterprise-wide requirement for stability and sustainable growth. Pitney Bowes MapInfo is a leading player in the US retail market and it’s my job to mirror that success in Europe. This role presents exciting challenges and opportunities, but most importantly, a responsibility to make a positive impact on an industry under increasing competitive pressure.”

During his tenure with the Royal Mail/Post Office Ltd, Clark was responsible for optimising the national network of urban Post Offices without reducing customer access. He also spent five years leading the strategic planning function within Royal Mail South Wales South West and worked closely with The Institute of Direct Marketing, creating the first Chair of Direct Marketing at the University of the West of England.

Clark’s varied professional achievements of note include consulting on a £50m city centre regeneration scheme to create 110,000 sq ft retail space and developing a £5m commercial property decision support system for SL Property Ltd, working with Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University. As marketing controller for site development at Gateway Corporation plc, Clark successfully implemented an acquisition and network development strategy that resulted in organic growth that delivered £598m pa turnover.

Commenting on Clark’s appointment, John O’Hara, Vice President International Operations at Pitney Bowes MapInfo, said: “A location intelligent strategy is paramount to retail health in good times and bad.

“Jonathan is well placed to articulate the added value of data, decision support analytics, performance management software, data flow systems and consultancy services that Pitney Bowes MapInfo brings to retail decision makers today. These are critical tools in a rapidly changing international retail market, which help to create long-term, sustainable success.

“Jonathan brings unimpeachable credentials, experience and standing to the industry, and we’re delighted to have him on board.”

Clark began his career in retail as a management trainee for Waitrose Ltd before leaving to join Savacentre Ltd. He went on to work for Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, Seagrams Distillers, Carrefour as part of the Gateway Corporation, MPSI Systems and SL Property Information Ltd, before his ten-year tenure with Royal Mail/The Post Office Ltd.

Clark is a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing, Member of the Society of Location Analysis and Associate Member of the Strategic Planning Society.