Retail Technology Show 2026 adds M&S Chairman Archie Norman to headline stage speakers list

Marks and Spencer Chairman Archie Norman is returning to the Headline Stage at Retail Technology Show, taking place at London ExCeL on 22nd and 23rd April.

This follows a 2025 appearance in which he joined ‘Customer Whisperer’ Kate Hardcastle, for a fireside chat to discuss M&S’ recent transformation and its work on sustainability. 

The session also explored 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 also covered how retailers can use AI to drive profit and market share.

In a LinkedIn post, Retail Technology Show said: “After one of the most talked about sessions at RTS last year, Archie Norman is back on the Headline Stage at Retail Technology Show 2026 - and he’s here to give us the update. 23rd April at ExCeL London.”

“It’s been a year like no other for M&S. From accelerating transformation to navigating a major cyber incident, Archie will share what really happens when disruption hits at the very top, and the lessons every retailer can take away. This is a rare, unfiltered look behind the scenes of one of the UK’s most iconic retailers. More details coming soon… “

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Omnichannel retail 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.