Hash Ladha was until recently CEO of Jigsaw and former Group CEO of Oasis and Warehouse, with a background in marketing and operations at Aurora Fashion, ASOS and Arcadia.
If you had to pick one person, who has influenced your career the most, and why?
Liz Evans. When I joined Aurora in 2010, she was one of the Managing Directors in one of the brands the group owned. We had a meeting of minds, and Liz is exceptional at building teams. She sees what will make a group of people work together well, plugging gaps, weaknesses and capitalising on strengths. She offered me the chance to be deputy MD; subsequently she became CEO, and I became COO. We worked together for many years and she influenced how I worked, how I led, how I saw problems and created solutions. However, the greatest learning from my time working with Liz was about open, honest, transparent values: adult to adult relationships and being able to discuss frankly (with compassion) good and difficult situations or issues.
The privilege is that we met through work, but even though we did not work together again after I succeeded her in 2018, we remain close friends. She and her husband are godparents to both my children – how wonderful is that?
What keeps you driven / motivated / interested?
Changing consumer trends have significantly evolved since 2010. The way in which we shop, consume, and interact with brands has undergone substantial transformation. The technological revolution has been profound within a relatively short period. During the early stages, I had the opportunity to be at the forefront, initially with Asos in 2007 while it was still a relatively small business, and subsequently with Aurora, where Ish Patel and I, along with our teams, pioneered several fashion retail innovations. These included the introduction of 90-minute delivery, the implementation of order shipments from stores, and the usage of transactional iPads within stores.
Today, I find it fascinating to observe the ongoing innovation within the industry. While much of this innovation is useful and enhances the consumer experience, some elements may not add as much value. It is intriguing to see how consumers, particularly the younger generation who have never lived without technology, embrace these advancements seamlessly.
My drive and interest are fuelled by the anticipation of an impending new era of artificial intelligence (AI). AI promises to replace many tasks that currently occupy our working day, thereby freeing up time for pursuits we have yet to conceive.
Understanding how this will impact consumers and brands, and envisioning what the future holds, is highly motivating. Brands that fail to reinvent their business models are likely to falter.
What is the secret to ‘making the boat go faster’?
The straightforward answer might be rowing faster, but that is not entirely accurate. The key factor in making a boat go faster is the team. When everyone pulls in the same direction and shares a common goal, it leads to success, which in turn builds confidence and improves performance. While technology greatly enhances capabilities, it is ultimately people who drive progress. A cohesive team that works well together is essential for optimising the boat’s speed. It’s also fun, and if you do not have fun in what you do, or do not enjoy it, it’s time to do something else.
What’s the biggest business / career challenge you’ve faced?
In 2020 when Oasis and Warehouse Group went into administration. I had been CEO for 18 months and been with the group for ten years (it was half of my career at this point). I loved the brands, the teams and what we had done. We had more to do, and our progress was immense but cut short. Covid had struck and I understand the financial decision the shareholders needed to make. However, I think – with the benefit of hindsight – had they waited a little longer the outcome would have been different. The group was gone before furlough, or the government’s business interruption funding was up and running. It was a huge shame. I learnt a lot about myself in that time. Telling thousands of people we were closing was not easy. I took it all very personally, and to this day I can still have a lump in my throat when I retell a story from that time.
What would you do if you were made Prime Minister for the day?
While humour might suggest calling for an election, I would instead propose a comprehensive overhaul of the taxation system. The current system has been excessively modified, making it complex, outdated and unfair. We need to start afresh. First, we should determine the necessary national income. Then, we should establish clear societal principles for its source, ensuring that everyone contributes equitably. Those with greater means should bear more of the burden, while we prioritise education for the young and care for the elderly. Individuals should contribute during their productive years, having benefited from a quality education and in return, they will receive support in their later years. This approach is grounded in common sense rather than political ideologies. Although this plan may require more than a single day, I would announce it on the one day you gave me.
Who would you most like to have dinner with (alive or dead)?
Michelle Obama. I live by her ‘when they go low, we go high’ motto. There is a lot of truth in it, and there is a huge sense of satisfaction when you do so. Besides, I think she’s an amazing role model – many think to women or girls, but I actually think for all of us, regardless of gender.
What idea do you wish you’d come up with?
The suitcase with wheels. I know that’s odd, but lateral thinking is so important. Wheels were invented circa 4000 BC, and the suitcase in the late 19th century. They coexisted for a very long time before being put together… genius (albeit slow!).
‘Life will be better in 10 years than it is now’. Agree or disagree?
Agree. My more spiritual side tells me that some decades are harder than others and that it’s just a cycle. The 2010s were a good decade, lots of positive change and innovation. The 2020s started off with a global pandemic, then a huge amount of geo-political issues, and the current attempted disruption to the ‘new world order’. These have made it a decade filled with upheaval and uncertainty. I like to think as we enter the 2030s, life will be better.
What would be your Desert Island books/films/albums?
Books – The Night (Terrance Stamp), Politics on the Edge (Rory Stewart) and The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini). One makes me smile, the other think and the other cry.
Films – The Kingsman. The Bourne Trilogy. The Twilight Saga. There is a theme: they’re not very deep but they are all very entertaining and that’s what films are for me.
Albums – I would just take three Spotify playlists. Born in the 70s. Born in the 80s. Born in the 90s. Covers all my needs.
What advice would you give to CEOs and business leaders facing today’s unpredictability?
It is not necessary to provide advice. There has been almost a decade of unpredictability since the 2016 Brexit vote. Business leaders generally understand how to navigate through unexpected situations. It is important to remember who your customers are and the purpose of your business. Brands that struggle often lose sight of one or both aspects.
Is AI something to be scared of?
Certainly not. We must regulate its potential misuse. As a technological advancement however, I believe it will enable humans to discover, explore and invent more. It’s exciting, not frightening.
What would you hope your colleagues / customers / suppliers would say about you if you weren’t in the room?
I hope they would say, “Shall we call Hash?” If not, I hope they would say, “He always kept his word.”
