Marks & Spencer chief digital and technology officer Jeremy Pee to depart

Pee joined the business in 2018 having previously worked at Canadian supermarket chain Loblaws and was a driving force behind the growth of the retailer’s online shopping app and the Sparks loyalty programme, The Times reported.

M&S co-chief executive Katie Bickerstaffe is said to be taking on his responsibilities and provide leadership to the digital, data and technology teams until a replacement is appointed.

It is understood that Pee is returning to Canada as part of a planned family move.

Bickerstaffe expanded his role to include a “broader technology remit” in January this year.

A spokesperson for M&S said: “Jeremy is moving his family back to Canada as he had always planned after five years with M&S.

“Katie Bickerstaffe will be leading the digital, data and technology teams, which are part of her remit, until a successor is appointed.”

A source familiar with the situation also told Retail Week: “It’s well known that Stuart Machin is looking to go faster on delivery of the M&S turnaround, we’ve seen that in the store rotation programme which is delivering great results and now he wants to do the same with digital and technology which could unlock further growth, particularly in omnichannel.

“Stuart’s mantra, which he reminded colleagues of last week following better than expected trading results, is all about being ‘positively dissatisfied’ with ‘lots done, lots to do’ and this applies to digital and tech as well.”

M&S upgraded its profit outlook last week after growing market share in its clothing and home and food businesses.

The retailer posted an 11% increase in like-for-like food sales for the first 19 weeks of the year, while like-for-like sales across its clothing and home division were also up more than 6% during the same period.