Marks & Spencer has ended a contract with a big technology services provider, just months after a devastating cyber attack.

Marks & Spencer has terminated its arrangement with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to run its IT service desk, The Telegraph reported.

The parting of ways came in July, in the wake of disruption earlier this year when the retailer was targeted by criminals in a hack that is expected to cost it around £300m in profits. 

Following the attack, Tata exonerated itself following an internal investigation. M&S declined to comment on whether the decision was connected to the hack.

Tata has worked with M&S for more than 10 years and continues to carry out other services from the group. 

The retailer said: “TCS provides a number of technology and IT services for M&S and we value our partnership with the TCS team. Regarding the IT service desk contract specifically, as is the usual process, we went to market to test for the most suitable product available, ran a thorough process and instructed a new provider this summer. This process started in January and this change has no bearing on our wider TCS relationship.”

TCS said the ending of the service desk contract and the cyber attack were “clearly unrelated” and that M&S had selected an alternative supplier “much prior to the cyber incident in April” following a competitive process.

M&S is one of several retailers targeted by cyber criminals this year. Co-op and Harrods also experienced cyber attacks.

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