# ESW appoints Carl Cowling as CEO to lead next phase of global growth

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/esw-appoints-carl-cowling-as-ceo-to-lead-next-phase-of-global-growth
- Published: 2026-08-19T19:45:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

|   |

DUBLIN, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ESW, the international growth engine for ambitious
brands, today announced the appointment of Carl Cowling as Chief Executive Officer.
Cowling will take up the role in early September as ESW begins its next phase of
sustainable growth and transformation. 

Cowling joins ESW at a time of significant opportunity for the business. ESW has
established a strong position with enterprise brands, with operations spanning more
than 200 markets, and continued investment in the technology and capabilities shaping
the future of ecommerce. Cowling will focus on accelerating commercial growth in
priority markets, build on the company’s momentum in agentic commerce deepening 
value for clients, and ensure that the business and its resources are aligned with
the opportunities offering the greatest long-term potential. 

Marc Pontet, Chairperson of the Board of ESW, said: _"ESW is entering this next 
chapter with strong foundations: a clear proposition, deep international_ _capabilities_
_and significant opportunity ahead. Carl is the right leader for this next phase.
He combines the perspective of a retailer with the discipline of an experienced 
international operator. He understands first-hand what brands expect from a strategic
commerce partner, and he has led complex, multi-market businesses where consistent
execution is fundamental to commercial and global performance."_  

Cowling joins ESW following eleven years at WHSmith, the global travel retail group
operating in 30 countries, where he served as Group CEO.  

Carl Cowling, incoming Chief Executive Officer of ESW, said: _"I have spent my career
on the retail side of this relationship, so I know what brands need from a partner
like ESW. The company has built a distinctive international capability at a scale
very few can_ _match, and it has moved decisively on agentic commerce_ _at a pivotal
moment in the way consumers discover and buy products._ _My_ _first priority_ _will
be to listen closely to clients and colleagues and understand where ESW can create
the greatest value. We will focus our investment and energy on those opportunities
and ensure that our organization,_ _capabilities_ _and ways of working support the
execution of our strategy._ _I am excited by the opportunity ahead and look forward
to getting started and meeting colleagues across the business."_

Cowling, who will join ESW in early September, succeeds Eric Eichmann, who steps
down after three years leading ESW. Eichmann led the successful integration of ESW
and the previously acquired Full Commerce platform business, reshaped the organization
and showed constant focus to provide the service our enterprise customers require,
in particular in its agentic commerce offering, He leaves the company well positioned
for its next chapter. 

Pontet added: _"On behalf of the shareholders and the Board, I want to thank Eric
for his dedication,_ _vision_ _and energy. He helped position ESW for the changes
now taking place across global commerce and leaves behind a strong platform for 
growth. We wish him every success in the future."_ 

**About ESW**  
ESW is the international growth engine for ambitious brands. We 
absorb the complexity of cross-border commerce — payments, compliance, duties, localization,
shipping and returns — so brands can grow globally with confidence. Our enterprise-
grade platform is built for scale but configurable for the world’s most complex 
brands. We architect end-to-end international operations across 200+ markets that
fit each brand’s exact needs, removing the operational and compliance risk that 
stands between ambition and growth.  

**Media contact:**  
Deirdre Connolly: [esw@edelman.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/esw@edelman.com)

---

  |  This article was produced by Cision PR Newswire, our trusted news partner. The views expressed and the content presented here are solely those of the author and may not fully reflect the opinions of Thailand Business News. |

---

 
**Read the original article :** [ESW appoints Carl Cowling as CEO to lead next phase of global growth ](http://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/5029485_AE29485_0?rand=184833)