Claire Harper is an expert in retail, digital, marketing, change management, branding and enterprise. Having worked for prominent UK brands, including Argos, Ocado, Sainsbury's and Mamas and Papas, and running her award-winning best-of British kids' clothing brand IndiaCoco, Clare's journey from corporate marketer to entrepreneur is rich with lessons from implementing innovation and cultural change.
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.
An insight into the essential tools to succeed in capturing the hearts and minds of new and loyal customers.
How to ensure your brand continues to adapt and develop its customer strategy in a constantly changing retail and digital market.
How can we challenge the status quo and prove that the male-dominated world in business and retail is no longer a reality?
Learn from Claire why leading from the front, embracing change, developing talent and empowering colleagues is a good recipe for achieving success with a highly motivated, positive and energetic team.
How to deal with the rollercoaster ride of creating and establishing your own business and draw on the challenges that inspire and help you push the boundaries.
