Amazon UK Managing Director Doug Gurr quits after nine years

[whohit]Amazon UK Managing Director Doug Gurr quits after nine years[/whohit]Amazon UK Managing Director Douglas Gurr will leave Amazon after nine years to begin his new role as the director of the British Natural History Museum. 

The businessman, born in Leeds is a strong supporter of the European Union, regularly making headlines with his criticism of Brexit.

Following the announcement of his new role, Mr Gurr said:

‘The Natural History Museum’s vision of a future where people and planet thrive has never been more relevant and it is a privilege to be invited to lead this globally important cultural and scientific institution.’ 

‘I am passionate about the work the museum is doing to tackle the planetary emergency by using its unrivalled collection and leading scientific research to connect millions of people a year with nature. I can’t wait to join the team.’   

Mr Gurr’s appointment at the Natural History Museum has been approved by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

During his four years running the UK arm of Jeff Bezos’s retail empire, he had attempted to shift it away from criticism over tax avoidance and its decision to base its European operations in low-tax state Luxembourg.

The former Asda executive, who is from Leeds, also shifted the focus away from the company’s wide-scale use of zero-hours contracts and accusations of workers being overstretched in warehouses.

The announcement by the Natural History Museum that he will join its team later this year comes just a few days after the European Commission filed a formal complaint against Amazon over allegations of ripping off sales partners.