Marks & Spencer (M&S) has appointed John Hunt as Chief Digital and Technology Officer. He is set to move from Woolworths Australia to the British retail group this summer to head up the Digital, Data and Technology division. M&S has not yet announced an exact start date.
John Hunt currently works for the Woolworths Group in Australia as Chief Information Officer and Managing Director of Group Enablement. At M&S, he will take over the leadership of the digitalisation, data and technology division from Sacha Berendji. Sacha Berendji will remain on the British retail group’s Executive Committee until April 2027 and is set to oversee the handover. At the same time, Sacha Berendji will continue to lead the Property and Store Development divisions.
Decades of experience
John Hunt brings more than 30 years’ experience in the retail sector. He has led digital and technology teams in South Africa and Australia. Before moving to Australia, John Hunt had worked for more than 25 years at Woolworths Holdings in South Africa.
In South Africa, John Hunt held several leadership roles in IT and retail processes, including the positions of Chief Information Officer and Senior Executive for Food Planning and Value Chain. In between, he worked for just under a year in the US as Senior Systems Manager at fashion retailer Gap.
This appointment clarifies the leadership of M&S’s technology unit following a transitional phase. Rachel Higham had stepped down from her role as Chief Digital and Technology Officer in September 2025 and taken a career break. Following this, Sacha Berendji took on the digital and technology role in addition to his existing responsibilities.
Woolworths seeks successor
At the Australian Woolworths Group, Tim Kelly will take over as interim head of IT whilst Woolworths searches both internally and externally for a permanent successor.
