Vancouver digital design agency Powershifter has hired James Chutter as VP of strategy and design.

As part of the new role, Chutter will lead a team supporting clients through data-informed strategy and design.

Powershifter counts Telus, Deloitte, Fitbit and Energizer among its client roster and has been moving more into the strategy and design spaces to meet clients’ needs, said JP Holecka, the digital agency’s founder and CEO, in a press release. He added that the newly created role will help Powershifter support global brands as they “work to innovate their customer experiences.”

Chutter is an entrepreneur and academic who has worked with brands that include Microsoft, eBay, Starbucks, Whole Foods and Nike, at times through companies he has co-founded. He has also previously worked as a consultant with Vancouver software company Axiom Zen, apparel brand Lululemon and telco Telus.