Marks & Spencer has appointed a new chief digital officer, and long-serving director Sacha Berendji is to step back from the business, Retail Week can reveal.
Marks & Spencer has named John Hunt as chief digital and technology officer, succeeding Rachel Higham who left late last year.
Hunt joins the retailer later this summer from Woolworths Australia, where he has spent the last nine years as chief information officer, overseeing a transformation programme.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to joining M&S and bringing my passion for retail and technology to what is an incredibly exciting retail transformation.”
Operations director Berendji, who took on additional responsibility as chief recovery officer following last year’s disruptive cyber attack, will leave his executive role at M&S in April next year after a career there spanning more than three decades.
Berendji originally joined M&S in 1994 through its graduate training programme. He subsequently rose to manage the Marble Arch flagship store and ultimately became operations director. During that time, he took on responsibility for business continuity following last year’s disruptive cyber attack.
In a memo to staff, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “Many of you have known Sacha longer than I have, but when I joined the business nearly eight years ago to manage our food business, he was one of the very first people I partnered with to build our new food format and improve retail operations. In the time I’ve been chief executive, Sacha has been an absolute rock, not just to me but to so many people right across the organisation…
“Sacha, you are a loyal, hardworking, trusted colleague and one of the most company-minded people I’ve had the pleasure to work with. All of us at M&S turn to you for advice and support and that extra bit of wisdom.”
Berendji said: “M&S runs through my blood and has done for over 32 years. It’s the best brand in the country and in my view the best retailer in the world. I think the leadership and the clarity of our strategy is stronger now than it’s ever been, and I’m very confident about the future of M&S.
“I remain in my executive role until April 2027, and will continue to be focused on delivering our priorities as we still have so much to do! I will always be part of the M&S family cheering on Stuart and the team in the years ahead.”
Although he is stepping down from his executive duties, Berendji has been appointed chair designate of the board of the M&S Pension Trust.
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