Client Stories

Client Stories > Online & Digital > Juno Records

London-based Juno Records is the world’s largest dance music and equipment store. Juno’s website was launched in March 1996, and since then Juno have built a reputation as the most comprehensive source for new and back catalogue dance music and DJ and studio equipment. Juno now offers over 500 new releases each week and have more than 45,000 titles in stock.

As Juno Records is an international online retailer with complex supply chains, information technology is central. So when their long-standing IT Director left the business, they decided to engage one of Freeman Clarke’s team, Paul Larner, as IT Director.

Richard Atherton, MD of Juno Records, said:

‘Our sector is very competitive and IT-dependent, and so we needed someone who had a breadth of expertise and could provide strategic advice. Paul has been invaluable as our IT Director; I benefit from the experience of a carefully selected proven IT leader, backed up by a whole team of experts. Freeman Clarke have an impressive choice of IT Directors, CIOs, and CTOs, who are all relevant and business-focussed.’

Paul joined the Juno Records team at a critical time: the lead-up to the annual Christmas sales peak. Paul quickly stabilised the IT systems and websites whilst reviewing the business for any risks that could threaten trading during the peak season, when they make the majority of their annual profits.

Paul’s remit also encompassed a business-wide digital transformation, including warehousing, distribution, online retail, operations, information governance, and finance.

Richard Atherton comments:

‘I now have an IT expert in my senior team who can explain the complexity of our IT systems in plain English and whom I can trust to make the best decisions. New IT initiatives are now clearly identified, prioritised, costed, explained and justified. Risks to our operations and compliance requirements are identified well in advance along with cost-effective recommendations and smooth implementation, giving me peace of mind about IT, so that I can focus on growing my business.’

Richard continues:

‘As a result of my confidence in our IT Director Paul Larner, the Freeman Clarke team, and our IT strategy, we are now able to exploit our IT investment that underpins our company transformation aimed at improving service, sales and profits.’