Amazon agency Venture Forge has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of a new commercial director as it looks to accelerate growth and expand its client base.
Joel Turner joins the agency with more than 20 years’ experience across ecommerce, media, technology and agency leadership.
He will lead Venture Forge’s work across new business, marketing, partnerships and proposition development, while helping established brands navigate the Amazon marketplace.
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The appointment follows the signing of global sports nutrition brand Ultimate Sports Nutrition, which has selected Yorkshire-based Venture Forge as a strategic partner to sharpen its commercial approach in the UK and support expansion into selected European markets.
Turner said: “Venture Forge is at a really exciting stage of its growth, and that was a big part of what attracted me to the business. It has a strong team, deep Amazon expertise and a clear opportunity to help more ambitious brands unlock the potential of the marketplace.
“I’m looking forward to building on that momentum, developing new partnerships and helping shape the next phase of the business. There’s a real opportunity to take what Venture Forge does exceptionally well and bring that expertise to an even wider group of brands.”
Turner has previously held commercial director roles at 26 and 75Media, alongside managing director and other senior commercial positions across high-growth businesses.
Andrew Banks, co-founder and Managing Director of Venture Forge, said: “We have grown consistently by earning the trust of enterprise brands and household names on Amazon, and this appointment is about doing more of that, faster.
“Joel joins having held Commercial Director roles at 26 and 75Media, where he helped brands of this scale grow. That background and that seniority is exactly what we need to deliver on our plans for the coming years.”
His arrival follows the appointment of Stephen Kenwright as Fractional Chief Commercial Officer.
Founded in 2018 by former heads of ecommerce Banks and Jonathan Newton, Venture Forge employs 21 people and works with brands including Thermos, VAX, John Cotton and Glen Dimplex.
The agency specialises in helping brands generating annual Amazon revenues of between £2m and £10m improve growth, operational efficiency and profitability.
