Marks and Spencer hangout discussion focuses on data and cultural transformation

Marks and Spencer has hosted another of its monthly hangout discussions, this time covering the power of digital and data innovations in delivering inclusion.

“A great discussion with brilliant panellists sharing their perspectives,” Conor Rose, Data Strategy Lead at M&S, said in a LinkedIn post.

“Thank you Cleo Thompson (Inclusion & Diversity Director), Jacqueline Joel (Head of Technology - Store Experience), Poppy Folland (Core HR Module Lead - My HR Oracle HCM), and IBM’s Claire Williams.”

He added: “When it comes to cultural transformation, I strongly advocate for these informal setting events that discuss and demystify digital perspectives that act to feed and build curiosity, support growth of literacy and an interest to take learning and testing further.”

Engineering Days

Earlier this year, Marks and Spencer introduced a series of Engineering Day events.

Kicking off the first one, the retailer’s software engineers were asked to develop an idea of their choice - solely selected because of their interest and passion in it.

Entries ranging from a weather application using React, through to a Unity powered M&S Store were presented.

“Engineering Days are about creating a healthy engineering culture and emulating two of our technology behaviours: being bold and creating a fun place to work,” said Sam, M&S Software Development Manager.

“We want to promote an environment where continuous learning and sharing is at the forefront everything we do and where the passion that software engineers have for experimenting, pushing boundaries and creativity, is fully appreciated.”

After 1.5 hours of demos and presentations, an M&S internal judging panel (which included the nine year old daughter of M&S Technology colleague and 2020 RTIH Innovation Awards judge Sharon Peters) went into a 15 minute deliberation session where they reviewed submissions based on: innovation, creativity, fun, being bold and learning.

“The winning entry really embodied our Tech team’s values, with colleagues Ryan and Seb presenting an impressive Percy Pig face filter created using a variety of tools including Blender to learn 3D modelling.,” M&S said in an online post.

“The project stole the hearts of the team, and as you can see from the photo above, the engineers showcased their filter to the full and kept it on for the duration of the event.”

“This entry really captured the spirit of the day and was a worthy winner, it involved some in-depth learning and fun, which is exactly what Engineering Days are all about at M&S,” Peters commented.