Marks & Spencer has been hit by another major departure in its technology leadership, with its chief technology officer stepping down less than a year after a crippling cyberattack.
Executive Exodus Following Security Breach
Josie Smith has decided to leave her role as M&S's chief technology officer after just 18 months with the retail giant. Her internal departure was announced this week, according to a company memo seen by Sky News.
This marks the second senior technology exit in a matter of months, following the departure of Rachel Higham, the chief digital and technology officer, four months ago. Smith, who previously held positions at BT Group and Vodafone, will be replaced internally by Darren Gibson, currently the fashion, home and beauty technology transformation director.
The Shadow of the Scattered Spider Attack
The leadership change comes against the backdrop of a severe cyber incident that rocked the company last April. The attack, attributed to a group known as Scattered Spider, forced M&S to halt its online sales operations for several weeks.
The breach proved to be extraordinarily costly, with the company estimating losses in the hundreds of millions of pounds. The disruption's impact extended far beyond the immediate aftermath, with M&S partly blaming a recent fall in like-for-like clothing sales over the crucial Christmas period on the "long tail" effects of the hack.
Broader Implications and Further Departures
The incident underscored the acute vulnerability of major British retailers to sophisticated cyber threats capable of causing widespread operational chaos. The executive reshuffle signals a period of significant transition for M&S's digital and technology divisions.
In a further development, Monday's internal memo also confirmed that Krista Nordlund, M&S's chief product officer, will leave the company in July to return to the United States. An M&S spokeswoman has officially confirmed the contents of the memo regarding the executive changes.
The series of high-profile exits raises questions about the stability of M&S's technology leadership as it continues to navigate the complex recovery from one of the most damaging cyberattacks in recent UK retail history.
