Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced the appointment of John Hunt as its new chief digital and technology officer.

Hunt joins the food and fashion retailer from Woolworths Australia, where he has been chief information officer officer for the past nine years.

Before this he spent 16 years working for Woolworths in Cape Town, South Africa and additionally served as senior systems manager for fashion retailer Gap.

In his new role, Hunt will take over leadership of M&S’s digital, data and technology function from Sacha Berendji.

Berendji will stay with M&S and remain on the executive committee until April 2027, ensuring a smooth transition and will continue to lead the retailer’s property and Store development function.

M&S said that Hunt will join the firm in the summer and spend his first four weeks in store immersing himself in the business.

“Sacha is a loyal, hardworking, trusted colleague and one of the most company-minded people I’ve had the pleasure to work with,” said Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S. “All of us at M&S turn to him for advice, support and that extra bit of wisdom. He will remain a part of the M&S family forever.

“Everyone at M&S offers a heartfelt thank you to Sacha, and a warm welcome to John.”

Earlier this month M&S announced it has signed a new franchise agreement in the Philippines with PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP), a lifestyle retailer in Indonesia.

The retailer said the move is part of its aim to build a global brand through capital light partnerships which leverage the expertise and infrastructure of strategic franchise partners in established markets.

MAP has operated M&S’s franchise business for over 26 years in both Indonesia and Vietnam, delivering strong growth in each.

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