M&S technology chief quits less than a year after cyberattack

Another of Marks & Spencer's (M&S) astir elder exertion executives is leaving the institution little than a twelvemonth aft its operations were devastated by a cyberattack.

Sky News has learnt that Josie Smith, the retailer's main exertion officer, is stepping down conscionable 18 months aft joining the company.

Her departure was disclosed internally this week successful a memo which said she had "decided to permission M&S".

Ms Smith, who antecedently worked astatine BT Group and Vodafone, volition beryllium replaced by Darren Gibson, the fashion, location and quality exertion translation director.

Her exit comes 4 months aft Rachel Higham, M&S's main integer and exertion officer, near the business.

Last year's cyberattack outgo M&S hundreds of millions of pounds and underlined the grade to which starring British companies are present susceptible to wide disruption from hackers.

The April incident, which was conducted by a radical called Scattered Spider, brought its online operations to a halt for weeks.

Earlier this month, it reported a autumn successful like-for-like covering income during the important Christmas trading period, which it partially blamed connected "the agelong tail" effects of the cyberattack.

Monday's interior memo besides said that Krista Nordlund, M&S's main merchandise officer, would permission the institution successful July to instrumentality to the US.

An M&S spokeswoman confirmed the contents of the memo.