- M&S confirms that Rachel Higham renounces after leading digital and technology for two years
- The retailer announces a leadership reorganization with senior executives to take care
- Higham’s departure follows the devastating interruption of the cyber attack that began in May
Marks & Spencer has said that Rachel Higham, her main technology and digital officer, leaves the retailer just over two years after joining.
Higham, who arrived at the business in June 2023, will take a professional break, the company said.
“Rachel has decided to take a break and is going back to her role, after being a valuable part of the leadership team,” said a M&S spokesman in a statement. “She has been a firm hand and a quiet head at an extraordinary moment for the business and we wish her the best for the future.”
Ransomware attack
His departure is produced following a harmful cyber attack and well -advertised earlier this year that interrupted the services and pledged customer data.
The attack forced the M&S to suspend online orders, disable click and collection functions and restrict some contactless payments in the store.
The availability of the product was also affected since the systems were disconnected.
Shortly after announcing cyber attack in May, the retailer recognized that personal identification information had been stolen by cybercriminals, but at the time the details of the payment card, passwords and unique access codes were not part of the violation.
Customers were informed that immediate action was not necessary, although those who returned to the M&S website had to restore their passwords as an additional measure.
Cybersecurity analysts said the incident carried the distinctive characteristics of a ransomware attack, although the company refused to say if a rescue was paid. The president of M&S, Archie Norman, told legislators to discuss such matters would not be of public interest.
The incident caused a broader discussion about the growing threats in the retail sector, with Camellia Chan, executive director of the AI, X-Py security company, saying: “Prevention must be integrated from scratch. Companies need a multiple layer approach that combines security at the hardware level to detect and block attacks. 95% of data violations Constant surveillance of employees and constant resilience tests. “
According PakGazetteHigham’s departure has caused leadership reorganization. Executive veteran Sacha Berendji will now supervise digital and technology along with the development of property and stores. The retail director, Thinus Keeve, will directly inform the executive director Stuart Machin.
M&S actions have fallen more than 8% this year as the retailer continues to manage the consequences.
