Marks & Spencer has appointed its first head of data and AI delivery to lead the strategic and scalable execution of major data and AI programmes across the retail group.
Nathan Davies has taken up the role with immediate effect, following a career in financial services. His most recent role was as a fractional transformation lead at venture capital company Greater Things; prior to that he spent six years at asset management giant BlackRock, latterly as head of delivery transformation for its global Aladdin Data platform.
Davies has also held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, E.On, VW, Citigroup and Egg Banking.
In his new role, Davies will work alongside M&S chief data and AI officer Di Mayze, who joined the company in late 2024, having previously spent five years as the global head of data and AI at WPP and held leadership roles at Boots and DunnHumby.
He will also work closely with M&S head of analytics and data science Andrew Davis, who was promoted to the role in 2023 after over a decade with the company.
M&S is currently executing a major “digital first” transformation strategy, which was significantly accelerated following its cyberattack in early 2025.
The company’s goal is to reshape itself into an agile, data-driven retailer where digital capabilities are at the heart of both customer experience and internal operations.
Last month, it hired Morrisons chief customer officer and group customer, data and marketing director Matt McLellan as head of loyalty. He succeeded Jade Sharpe, who had left to set up her own customer, loyalty and transformation consultancy.
Meanwhile, in June, M&S ramped up its digital, data and tech strategy with the appointment of a new chief digital and technology officer.
John Hunt joined from Woolworths Australia, where he has served as chief information officer and managing director of group enablement and succeeded Rachel Higham, who left in September and then joined cybersecurity specialist Xiid.
In a LinkedIn post, Davies said: “My focus will be on building a strong, predictable delivery capability that helps teams turn great ideas into measurable business impact with clarity, pace, quality, and confidence.
“I look forward to partnering with teams across data technology, product, analytics, governance, operations, and retail to accelerate delivery while maintaining the quality, governance, and operational excellence required for successful scaling.”
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