Sainsbury’s hires Alex Owens as head of insight

Owens will join Sainsbury’s after two years with the financial giant. A core part of his role here was leading development of customer experience blueprints for both the corporate brand and its individual banking sub-brands.

Prior to joining Lloyds, he was director of research and insight for Capital One between 2007 and 2010 and has also had long spells with broadcasters BSkyB as head of insight between 2004 and 2007, and the BBC where he managed insights for the emerging digital television team between 1999 and 2004. He started his career as an account manager with Millward Brown.

Owens’ appointment comes as part of an overhaul of the supermarket’s marketing team. Other new additions include Mark Given as head of brand communications, joining from O2 where he was head of sponsorship, and Sophia Weir as category manager for advertising and media, who joins from WPP’s Mindshare.

Sarah Warby, Sainsbury’s marketing director, said: “Mark, Alex and Sophia are great additions to the team, and will help us continue to deliver competitive advantage through efficient and integrated marketing campaigns, under the banner of Live Well for Less.”