- M&S confirms that Rachel Higham is stepping down after leading digital and technology for two years
- The retailer advertises leadership of switching with senior manager who has to take over
- Highham’s departure follows devastating cyberattack disorder that began in May
Marks & Spencer has said that Rachel Higham, its head of digital and technology, leaves the retailer just over two years after registration.
Higham, who arrived at the company in June 2023, takes a career break, the company said.
“Rachel has decided to take a break and goes back from his role after being a valued part of the leadership team,” a spokesman for M&S said in a statement. “She has been a steady hand and a quiet head at an extraordinary time for the company, and we wish her well for the future.”
Ransomware -attack
Her departure comes in the wake of a harmful and well -publiced ​​cyberattack earlier this year that disturbed services and compromised customer data.
The attack forced M&S to suspend online orders, disable click-and-collection features and limit some contactless payments in the store.
Product availability was also affected when systems were taken offline.
Shortly after announcing Cyberattack in May, the dealer acknowledged that personally identifiable information had been stolen by cyber criminals, but stressed at the time that debit card information, passwords and one -time ending places were not part of the infringement.
Customers were informed that no immediate action was needed, even though those who returned to the M&S site were required to reset their passwords as an additional measure.
CyberSecurity -Analysts said the incident carried the hallmark of a ransomware attack, although the company refused to say if a ransom was paid. M&S President Archie Norman told legislators that discussing such issues would not be in the public interest.
The incident had a broader discussion of growing threats in the retail sector, with Camellia Chan, CEO of AI security company X-Phy, saying: “Prevention must be built from scratch. Companies need a multi-layer approach that combines hardware security to detect and block attacks early. Detection detection and provides detective policies in real time.
According to PakinomistHighham’s departure has triggered a leadership crush. Veteranchef Sacha Berendji will now oversee digital and technology together with property and store development. Detail Director Thinus Keeve reports directly to CEO Stuart Machin.
Shares in M&S have fallen more than 8% this year as the retailer continues to control the fall.
