Ipoints promotes Barker to UK chief operating officer

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 07-Nov-07, 12:35

LONDON - Online loyalty programme company Ipoints.co.uk has promoted Robert Barker from commercial director to UK chief operating officer, replacing Geraldine Tosh, who stepped down at the end of October.

Barker, who joined Ipoints in 2000 as financial director, was promoted to commercial director in 2006 and is credited with playing a key role in the business' acquisition by Maximiles and growing the website's popularity.

He will replace Geraldine Tosh, who joined Ipoints.co.uk in 2000 as a marketing director and was promoted to managing director in 2002.

Barker will now lead the expansion of the Ipoints loyalty programme, which currently has 1.6m members, and spearhead the development of loyalty partnerships and direct marketing sales with Ipoints.co.uk and Maximiles UK clients abroad.

Maximiles, which is the French counterpart to Ipoints, acquired the UK business in June 2006 for an undisclosed sum, creating one of Europe's largest loyalty programme companies.

Marc Bidou, chairman and chief executive officer of Maximiles, said: "Robert has been key to establishing Ipoints.co.uk as market leader in a very competitive market. Robert is a seasoned, sharp and driven executive, which we have learned to fully appreciate since we acquired Ipoints.co.uk.

"Robert will drive forward our business in the UK and consolidate our position as the leading online loyalty group in Europe."