Following a recent £2m fundraise and rebrand from Shopblocks to Symphony Commerce, the Stockport ecommerce platform has announced wholesale changes to its leadership team, with new appointments including at CEO and CFO level.
Matt Smith, Symphony’s recently appointed CEO, previously led Manchester’s Barrett Dixon Bell (BDB) through a management buyout (MBO) and subsequently transitioned the international B2B marketing and communications agency to become 100% employee-owned, where he remains active as executive chairman.
Kevin Jones, founder & CTO of Symphony Commerce, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have Matt stepping into the role of CEO at such an important time for Symphony. Matt’s career exemplifies disruptive thinking and entrepreneurial success.
“His strategic vision and deep understanding of the B2B commerce landscape have already proven invaluable. Now, having him at the helm is nothing short of incredible. We’re excited for what’s ahead and confident that Matt’s leadership will propel Symphony to new heights.”
Smith hasn’t wasted any time, making key appointments including Ella Lim as CFO. With over 15 years of experience in commercial finance, Ella joins from Hilti Great Britain, where she held key roles across finance operations in Northern Europe and the UK. Her expertise in financial strategy, process optimisation, and post-merger integrations will play a crucial role in driving Symphony Commerce’s financial clarity and performance.
Lim said: “I am delighted to join Symphony Commerce and contribute to its ambitious growth journey. My focus will be on ensuring financial efficiency and providing strategic insights to support the company’s mission of delivering best-in-class digital commerce solutions.”
Additionally, Hannah Spencer has been promoted to the leadership team as client service director.
On his own appointment, CEO Smith said: “Joining Symphony Commerce at such a pivotal time is incredibly exciting. Investing in top-tier talent is fundamental to our ambitious growth plans, ensuring we have the right expertise to drive innovation, deliver exceptional value to our clients, and position Symphony Commerce as a true leader in B2B digital commerce.”
Symphony’s platform allows wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers to create tailored e-commerce sites, customer portals and product catalogues, enabling them to thrive in the demanding B2B landscape.
It “fills a gap in the market for a platform that can handle the scale and intricacies of B2B operations,” such as managing complex customer pricing strategies, tailored discounts and personalised experiences across extensive customer bases. It also integrates with leading ERP, finance and marketing software to ensure businesses can unify their operations.
