Marks and Spencer Chairman Archie Norman set to headline Retail Technology Show 2025 conference

Chairman of M&S, Archie Norman, has been confirmed to headline the 2025 edition of Retail Technology Show (RTS).

Debuting in its new home, ExCeL London, RTS will welcome 15,000 retail professionals on 2nd and 3rd April. Speaking on the Headline Stage on day one, Norman will join ‘Customer Whisperer’ Kate Hardcastle, for a fireside chat to discuss M&S’ recent transformation and its work on sustainability. 

The session will also explore how the retailer has substantially changed its omnichannel delivery, how it uses its Sparks programme to drive customer loyalty and insight as well as how it has led its workforce through periods of huge disruption. 

Having held the role of Chairman of M&S since 2017, Norman has also been instrumental in transforming several major retailers and brands, including Kingfisher, Asda, ITV and Hobbycraft.  He was also the first and only FTSE 100 Chairman to be elected a Member of Parliament (MP), where he served for eight years. 

As Chairman at Signal AI, he will also cover how retailers can use AI to drive profit and market share.

He comments: “I am thrilled to be speaking at the UK’s largest retail event and sharing the story of how we are reshaping M&S under the new leadership team.”

“It is an exciting opportunity to delve into our pioneering work in sustainability, our drive to deliver omnichannel experiences and how we are redeveloping to build more personalised customer relationships. In a perpetually changing world, I look forward to discussing how to rejuvenate great retail brands, turnaround businesses and create engaged workforces.”

Matt Bradley, Event Director at RTS, says: “We’re thrilled Archie, who’s been at the forefront of transforming so many successful and iconic retail businesses, will join us and deliver what promises to be an insightful session.”

“With retailers facing a myriad of challenges as well as tough and increasingly unpredictable trading conditions, Archie’s session will shine a light on how retailers can map a strategic course for the business change needed to drive long-term performance and growth.”

Norman will join over 125+ senior retailers and brand leaders speaking on the RTS conference programme.

Split into six tracks across the two-day show, day one will cover: Leadership, Workforce and Economy on the Headline stage, sponsored by Aptos, which will see senior C-Suite retailers share insights into transforming businesses for success; the Future of Trading, which will explore e-commerce trends with speakers curated by Commerce Futures; and Customer, Social and Marketing, sponsored by Nuvei, which will tap into insights from loyalty to customer experience and social selling. 

On day two, the stages will explore: AI, Data and Omnichannel, encompassing key AI trends and best practice examples and use cases; the Future of Retail, which, through an e-commerce lens, will unlock insight from cross-sector brands from luxury to hospitality and travel; and Sustainability, Supply Chain and Efficiency, covering green retail trends and strategies for overcoming supply chain risk while driving efficiencies within business operations.

RTIH at RTS 2025

RTIH is a Retail Technology Show 2025 media partner and will be exhibiting at the event.

Visitors to our stand (E90) will be able to pick up a free copy of the latest edition of our printed magazine and meet our Editor and Founder Scott Thompson.

If you would like to advertise in our biggest issue of the year (which will also be distributed at Shoptalk Europe 2025 in Barcelona during June), please fill out the below form and we will get back to you asap with further details.