Shop Direct partners with University of Liverpool to develop tech and data talent

Shop Direct, the UK’s largest integrated digital retailer and financial services provider, has become an employability partner of the University of Liverpool.

The partnership will see the Liverpool-based business develop a joint programme of activity with the University across STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and other business-related subjects such as marketing and finance. This will include working with academics to embed real world business projects into course modules and offering internship opportunities and graduate roles to the University’s students.

Shop Direct will also support a series of events led by the University’s Careers and Employability team, at which the retailer’s leaders will talk to students about their career journeys to provide inspiration, support and advice on maximising employability.

Helen Miller, talent, culture and communications director at Shop Direct, said:“We’re proud to partner with the University of Liverpool to develop the next generation of talent. Gaining experience in the workplace and of real life business projects helps undergraduates to develop their employability skills and stand out when they enter the job market.

“We also want to show students that the North West is a hub for great tech and data careers, and specifically encourage more young women to apply for roles in these fields at businesses like Shop Direct.”

Emma Moore, director of careers and employability at the University of Liverpool, added: “We continually review the way we engage with employers to ensure that we remain relevant to the working world. Our growing partnership with Shop Direct, and the company’s refreshing approach to student and graduate recruitment, makes it possible for us to try innovative ways to expose students to industry connections throughout their university journey and ensure our graduates are prepared for work.

“It is fantastic to see so many of our students and graduates successfully securing roles within the business as a direct result of our collaboration.”

ENDS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Media enquiries

Shop Direct

Ashley Muldoon           07523 044 507

Dave Lafferty                07552 283 266

About Shop Direct

As the UK’s largest integrated pureplay digital retailer and financial services provider, Shop Direct has annual sales of £2bn.

Shop Direct’s retail brands are Very.co.uk, Littlewoods.com and Littlewoodsireland.ie. The company receives an average of 1.5m website visits every day, with 79% of online sales completed on mobile devices.

Shop Direct exists to make good things easily accessible to more people. With its multi-category range of famous brands, market-leading technology and data capabilities and unique financial services products offering flexible ways to pay, the group is well placed to deliver on that promise.

The company sells more than 1,900 famous brands, including big name labels and its own brands. Shop Direct has 4.05m customers and delivers 49m products every year. Its free click-and-collect service, CollectPlus, delivers to 7,000 stores across the country, increasing ease and convenience for customers.

For more information on Shop Direct, visit www.shopdirect.com or follow the company on Twitter at @ShopDirect.