Leading global retail tech business and specialists in preventing food waste, Gander, has appointed Damien Corcoran as its new chief operating officer (COO).
Isle of Man based Gander has become one of the fastest growing tech innovators. This world-first, award-winning platform, was created to reduce food waste and transform the spending habits of shoppers. Launched in 2019 Gander has since expanded across the UK and Australia with plans in place for ongoing global roll-out. To date Gander has helped hundreds of grocery retailers to successfully reduce food waste, enhance their sustainability credentials, improve their bottom line and save millions of food items from going to waste.
For a second year running Gander has been nominated for the highly esteemed Earthshot Prize 2024, which is a global environmental prize launched by Sir David Attenborough and the Prince of Wales, William and his philanthropic organisation, The Royal Foundation. The prize aims to find solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental problems, including climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The innovative tech business was also shortlisted in the SME of the Year category for the 2023 Edie Awards celebrating sustainability leadership.
Operating at the junction of technology and social responsibility, Corcoran will lead the charge in implementing strategies that align with Gander’s goals.
He says: “Collaborating closely with our global technology teams, I will ensure that our innovations will not only drive efficiency but will also advance our commitment to sustainability. This will enable more people to access perfectly good food, pay less for that food, and prevent it from going to waste. In doing so, businesses will minimise their losses and gain more customers, whilst doing their bit to save the planet.”
Global impact achieved through strategic joint ventures and partnerships is a key focus of Gander. Corcoran adds: “By forging alliances with like-minded organisations on a global scale, we have the ability to amplify our reach, foster innovation, and collectively address the broader societal challenges relating to food waste.”
A seasoned strategic leader and highly experienced in consulting and implementing operational transformations, Damien Corcoran joins Gander with a wealth of retail and hospitality knowledge from his C-suite roles in the Middle East, Whole Foods Market, Sainsbury’s and Aldi. He also spent six years as a Commissioned Officer with the Royal Corps of Signals, leading and managing global communication programmes.
Mike Osborne, CEO of Gander, adds: “I am delighted Damien has joined our global team. With all his skills and experience, he is someone who can take the business to the next level. Our commitment is to make a positive change in the global fight against food waste, the potential is unlimited and as COO I have no doubt that Damien will lead the charge in retail technology and help revolutionise the food ecosystem.”