- M&S confirms that Rachel Higham withdraws after managing digital and technology for two years
- The retailer announces a leadership reshuffle with a senior manager to take over
- Higham’s departure follows a devastating disturbance of cyber attacks that started in May
Marks & Spencer said Rachel Higham, his digital and technology chief, left the retailer just over two years after joining.
Higham, who arrived at the company in June 2023, will take a career break, said the company.
“Rachel has decided to take a break and withdraw from his role, having been a valued part of the management team,” said a spokesperson in a statement. “She was a stable hand and a calm head at an extraordinary moment for the company and we wish her good luck for the future.”
Ransomware attack
His departure comes following a harmful and well -published cyber attack this year which has disrupted the services and compromised customer data.
The attack forced M&S to suspend online commands, to deactivate click and collection functions and to restrict certain contactless payments in store.
The availability of products has also been assigned as the systems have been released.
Shortly after announcing the cyber attack in May, the retailer recognized that personally identifiable information had been stolen by cybercriminals, but stressed when the details of the payment card, passwords and punctual passwords were not part of the breach.
Customers have been informed that no immediate action was necessary, although those who return to the M&S website are necessary to reset their passwords as an additional measure.
Cybersecurity analysts said that the incident bore the characteristics of a ransomware attack, although the company refused to say if a ransom had been paid. The president of M&S, Archie Norman, told legislators that discussing these questions would not be in the public interest.
The incident aroused a broader discussion on growing threats in the retail sector, with Camellia Chan, Director General of the IA security company, X-Phy, saying that “prevention must be integrated from zero. 95% of data violations, this removes the burden of constant vigilance of employees and constant resilience tests. “”
According to PK Press ClubHigham’s departure sparked a leadership reshuffle. The head of the veteran Sacha Berendji will now supervise digital and technology alongside the development of property and stores. The retail director, Thirus Keeve, will be directly under the Director General Stuart Machin.
M&S’s shares have dropped by more than 8% this year while the retailer continues to manage the benefits.
