Josie Smith exits as M&S tech executive shake up continues following cyber attack

Josie Smith is stepping down as Marks and Spencer's Chief Technology Officer nine months after a major cyber attack hit the retailer hard.

The departure of Smith, who only joined M&S 18 months ago, was disclosed internally this week in a memo.

She previously worked at BT Group and Vodafone and will be replaced by Darren Gibson, the fashion, home and beauty Technology Transformation Director. This comes four months after Rachel Higham, M&S's Chief Digital and Technology Officer, also headed for the exit.

Conducted by a group called Scattered Spider, the aforementioned cyber attack brought the retailer’s online operations to a halt and resulted in empty shelves in stores..

A former WPP and BT Group executive, Higham was appointed by M&S in 2014. In an internal memo, it said she was "stepping back from her role…Rachel has been a steady hand and calm head at an extraordinary time for the business, and we wish her well for the future.”

At the time of the appointment, Stuart Machin, M&S Chief Executive, said that Higham joining the business, along with Mark Lemming becoming International Managing Director, “reflected the importance of Digital & Technology and capital light International growth to the next phase of our transformation. As I set out at our recent Capital Markets Day, we have more to do in both of these areas and so much opportunity.”

He added: “Rachel and Mark are fantastic additions to our executive team and I am confident that, with their leadership, we will accelerate the pace of change in the business as we reshape M&S for growth.”

Higham, meanwhile, commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Stuart Machin and the executive team at M&S at such an exciting time on their journey to reshape M&S for growth.”

Sources said that she was taking a career break. Operations Director Sacha Berendji, who had been Chief Recovery Officer since the cyber attack, took over her responsibilities.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Cyber security will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.