Marks & Spencer is ratcheting up its drive to put data at the heart of the business – a move which has already seen it launch an in-house data science academy – by appointing its first ever chief digital and data officer.
Jeremy Pee, who is currently senior vice president of Canadian food retailing giant Loblaw, has been appointed to the role and will report directly to chief executive Steve Rowe.
Pee joins in December and will lead the business strategy to transform M&S’ digital capabilities and drive the digital innovation agenda.
He will be responsible for tapping into the power of data and digital right across the business – from M&S’ customers and colleagues to shareholders – as well as developing a digital culture across the company.
Pee will sit on the M&S operating committee, with accountability for digital innovation; customer insight; loyalty proposition and digital business development.
At Loblaw, he was responsible for building, operating and growing the retailer’s e-commerce businesses in grocery, beauty, clothing and pharmacy. Pee also beefed up Loblaw’s digital capabilities, creating a large team of experts in technology, data science, digital marketing and trading.
Under his leadership, they launched the retailer’s online business and established a customer-driven culture.
Prior to that Pee was Loblaw’s vice president of corporate strategy. He has also held senior roles at office suppliers Staples and Vasanti Cosmetics.
Rowe said: “Jeremy is an excellent addition to M&S. He has first class experience of leading and executing retail digital transformation and growing a portfolio of ecommerce businesses. As we seek to become a digital first retailer, grow market share and change our digital behaviours, mindsets and culture, he is the right leader to deliver these changes and make M&S fit for the digital age.”
Pee added: “M&S is going through a critical transformation and there’s no better time to be joining the business. I am looking forward to driving and shaping the digital innovation agenda.”
Since the turn of the year, the retailer has set up a strategic artificial intelligence partnership with Microsoft, launched the data science academy in partnership with Decoded, expanded its partnership with predictive analytics specialist First Insight and launched a start-up incubator programme alongside Founders Factory.
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