Jeremy Pee, the chief digital and technology officer of Marks & Spencer, is stepping down despite his recent promotion.
- Pee is credited with transforming M&S’s online shopping app and Sparks loyalty program, resulting in a 40% user increase.
- He spearheaded the enhancement of digital capabilities, including hub transformations and digital screen introductions for returns.
- M&S reported strong sales growth, with an 11% increase in food and 6% in clothing.
- Katie Bickerstaffe, co-CEO, will oversee Pee’s duties until a successor is found.
Jeremy Pee, who served as the chief digital and technology officer at Marks & Spencer, has surprisingly announced his departure even though he was recently promoted to an expanded role. He is renowned for his significant contributions to the company’s digital advancements, notably in developing the M&S online shopping app and the Sparks loyalty program. Under his leadership, the number of active app users soared by 40% last year to reach 4.3 million.
Pee led a comprehensive overhaul of Marks & Spencer’s digital landscape. This included converting physical stores into click-and-collect hubs, a move that modernized the shopping experience for consumers. Additionally, he introduced digital screens in stores to facilitate easy returns of unwanted clothing, a feature that enhanced customer convenience.
Jeremy Pee joined Marks & Spencer in 2018, bringing with him extensive experience from Canada’s largest supermarket chain, Loblaw. During his tenure there, he played a pivotal role in managing e-commerce businesses for the Weston family-owned retailer. His decision to leave M&S is attributed to his desire to return to Canada, where his family plans to relocate.
In Pee’s absence, Katie Bickerstaffe, one of M&S’s co-chief executive officers, will assume his responsibilities until a suitable replacement is appointed. This leadership transition comes at a time when the company is experiencing robust economic performance. Marks & Spencer has reported an encouraging upturn in its yearly profit forecasts, buoyed by an 11% rise in food sales and a 6% increase in clothing sales on a like-for-like basis.
Jeremy Pee’s departure marks the end of a transformative era for M&S’s digital strategies.
