M&S chief digital and technology officer Rachel Higham to leave - reports

(Sharecast News) - The Marks & Spencer executive responsible for its technology function is set to leave the company after a cyber attack disrupted its systems, costing the retailer £300m, according to reports on Thursday. According to Sky News, chief digital and technology officer Rachel Higham is leaving the company. A former WPP and BT Group executive, Higham was hired by M&S early last year.

Sky said her departure was announced in an internal memo circulated on Thursday.

According to Retail Week, Higham's departure is unrelated to the recent cyber attack.

It said that M&S veteran Sacha Berendji, who has been M&S chief recovery officer since the attack, will now be responsible for the digital and technology function while retaining responsibility for property and store development.

Retail director Thinus Keeve, who joined M&S as retail director in June, reporting to Berendji, will now report to Machin, Retail Week said.

In an internal memo seen by the publication, Machin wrote: "Having steered the digital and technology team through a challenging six months, Rachel Higham has decided to take a break and is stepping back from her role.

"Rachel has been a valued part of the leadership team since joining, building a strengthened digital and technology function, playing a key role over recent months, and laying foundations for the future through the Evolution digital and technology strategy.

"Rachel has been a steady hand and calm head at an extraordinary time for the business, and we wish her well for the future."

He said Berendji had worked "hand in glove" with Higham and the digital and tech team and "has an in-depth understanding of the business, our systems and tech stack".

"Under Sacha's leadership, I am confident that we will accelerate the digital and technology plan and ensure we are set up to deliver our biggest and best-ever Christmas peak," Machin said.

M&S declined to comment to Sharecast.