Marks and Spencer names new chief people officer

Retailer Marks and Spencer has appointed Hayley Tatum to be its new chief people officer as of October.

Tatum will join the employer’s executive committee and will start her month induction by working in stores and distribution centres alongside its employees.

She worked for Asda for the last 14 years, most recently as chief people and corporate affairs officer. She previously spent 20 years working at Tesco, both in people and operations, where her last position was UK and Ireland people director.

Tatum said: “I am thrilled and proud to have been asked to join. After spending my entire career in retail, to be joining the most trusted brand in the UK is a real pinch me moment.”

Stuart Machin, chief executive at Marks and Spencer, added: “Having worked with Hayley previously, I know that she has a very hands-on and collaborative leadership style, crafted through her many roles over the years in HR and store operations. We have lots to do in the years ahead to transform M and S, and importantly, become even closer to our customers and closer to our employees.

“Our aim is to be the most trusted brand with a high-performance culture; Hayley joins at a critical time as we accelerate the pace of change across all of our people plans, attracting and developing the very best talent in the industry and rethinking engagement and performance.”