Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced the departure of its chief digital and technology officer, Jeremy Pee, just eight months after being promoted.
Pee joined the multi-channel retailer in December 2018 as chief digital and data officer, a position he held until January 2023. Under his helm, he was responsible for leading the digital transformation at M&S, which included its online shopping app and Sparks loyalty app.
Pee, also overhauled M&S’s digital capabilities, including the introduction of click-and-collect hubs for purchases and installing digital screens, which allowed customers to return unwanted clothing.
He also increased the number of active users of M&S’s app by 40% to 4.3 million people last year.
As a result, in January this year, Pee was promoted to chief digital and technology officer.
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An M&S spokesperson told InternetRetailing: “After five years at M&S Jeremy is moving his family back to Canada in a planned move.
“Katie Bickerstaffe will be leading the digital, data and technology teams, which are part of her remit, until a successor is appointed.”
His departure follows the retailer raising its profit outlook for the year after it reported a rise in sales in its clothing and food arms.
In the 19 weeks that ended 12 August 2023, the retailer posted an 11% rise in like-for-like food sales driven by “further investment in quality and trusted value”.
Like-for-like clothing and home sales rose over 6% in the same period, thanks to strong growth in stores over online.
Pee joined M&S from Canadian retailer Loblow Digital, where he held the position of senior vice president for over six years. He also worked at Staples for five years, holding the positions of director of corporate strategy and most recently senior category manager.
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