LONDON — British retail giant Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced a major tech leadership transition, appointing international retail veteran John Hunt as its new Chief Digital and Technology Officer. Hunt is slated to officially join the high-street retailer this summer, taking the reins of the company’s core Digital, Data, and Technology (DD&T) function.
He succeeds Sacha Berendji, a company stalwart who has spent more than 32 years with the retail brand.
Global Tech Expertise for Digital Transformation
Hunt’s appointment brings deep international retail experience to the heart of M&S’s ongoing modernization and digital integration strategy:
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The Woolworths Track Record: Hunt joins M&S directly from Woolworths Australia, where he served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the past nine years, leading massive enterprise architecture transformations.
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Three Decades of Retail Pedigree: With over 30 years of specialized experience in retail technology, Hunt has successfully directed D&T divisions for large-scale, multi-billion-dollar consumer businesses across both South Africa and Australia.
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On-the-Ground Integration: To ensure a deep understanding of M&S’s operational fabric, Hunt will spend his first four weeks on the job completely immersed in-store before commencing his formal strategic handover.
Structured Transition Plan
To guarantee operational continuity across M&S’s vast digital and brick-and-mortar footprint, the retailer has established a long-term transition roadmap:
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Dual Leadership Focus: Outgoing tech chief Sacha Berendji will remain a core member of the M&S Executive Committee until April 2027. While assisting Hunt with the digital transition, Berendji will maintain full operational command of the company’s Property and Store Development divisions.
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Executive Endorsement: Underlining the strength of the incoming leadership structure, M&S Chief Executive Stuart Machin welcomed Hunt’s commercial passion while paying tribute to Berendji’s three decades of institutional wisdom and loyalty.
“M&S is a brand that is admired the world over, and I’m looking forward to bringing my passion for both retail and technology to what is an incredibly exciting transformation.” — John Hunt, Incoming Chief Digital & Technology Officer, M&S
