Marks & Spencer has announced the departure of its chief digital and technology officer Jeremy Pee months after being given an expanded role.

Pee, who joined M&S from Canada’s Loblaw in 2018, oversaw a transformation of the company’s digital capabilities such as increasing focus on click-and-collect purchases and launching the Sparks mobile app in July 2020. The app was used by 4.3 million users in 2022.

Earlier this year, Pee’s role was expanded from focusing on data to more widely overseeing M&S’s tech stack, with chief executive Stuart Machin looking to accelerate the company’s adoption of technology across the business.

With no reason given for Pee’s departure, the 46-year old executive will now return to Canada. His responsibilities will be taken on by co-chief executive officer Katie Bickerstaffe until a replacement is found.

The news was confirmed by a spokesperson for the company who said: “After five years at M&S, Jeremy is moving his family back to Canada in a planned move.”

The news leaves a significant gap at the top of M&S’s business at a time of key technological transformation as it looks to keep up with the likes of Sainsbury’s and Tesco which have heavily invested in digital services.

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