Former Boots UK and bp exec Iona Blake joins Marks and Spencer as Head of Security and Fraud

M&S has appointed Iona Blake as Head of Security & Fraud.

She joins from bp (where she served as UK & Europe Security Manager (Mobility & Convenience). Prior to that, she spent almost 16 years at Boots UK, where she held the role of Security & Incident Manager.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: "A genuinely special moment for me - joining Jayne Wall's leadership team at M&S as Head of Security & Fraud. M&S is more than a retailer. It’s a brand built on trust, quality and doing right by customers - values that have stood for generations."

She added: "After 30+ years in retail and hospitality, I feel incredibly fortunate to continue that journey here. I’ll be bringing lessons from my time at Boots UK and bp, alongside experience working at the forefront of cross-industry collaboration - driving accountability and real-world impact in how we tackle crime and security in understanding how we can influence the root cause of some crime drivers. But more importantly, how we keep our people safe."

"One principle has stayed constant for me: crime doesn’t see the brand, only the opportunity.  That’s why this role matters. My focus is simple - supporting and protecting the frontline colleagues who make this business what it is, and helping ensure we stay one step ahead. Get it right for the colleagues on the shop floor so they can get it right form our customers, always. Grateful for the opportunity - and excited to get started. Let’s do this!"

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

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

The awards are now open for entries and 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 Wednesday, 4th November.

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.