Brian has more than 35 years experience applying technology to the retail industry.
He has been a technology adviser to leaders across the retail industry as they’ve looked to address their technology and commercial challenges and has a reputation for honest, pragmatic advice and "telling it like it is", favoring practical solutions over complexity.
Throughout his career he has delivered significant digital and technology implementations and project turnarounds focusing on multi-channel strategies, data analytics, sourcing, innovation, operations and profit improvement initiatives.
He has led critical assignments addressing strategic operational and technical challenges for fashion, food, and speciality retailers across the globe and has also advised global consumer goods and hospitality clients on a wide variety of projects.
He has worked with many of the UK's leading retailers, as well as overseas with clients in Europe, USA, South Africa and China.
Increasingly, he looks to work with and advise leading and up and coming technologists across the retail sector and currently chairs the retail startup Slip.
He has a regular column Brian Kalms in Retail Week where he comments on the major technology challenges facing retailers.
He was previously head of retail at Elixirr and Accenture UK. Brian has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in economics and econometrics from the University of Nottingham.
