Marks & Spencer appoints former Asda exec as Chief People Officer

Marks & Spencer has named Hayley Tatum MBE as its new Chief People Officer, replacing Sarah Findlater, who will depart the British retailer after 27 years at the business.

Tatum joins M&S from Asda, having served as Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer for over four and a half years. She joined the grocery chain as Chief People Officer in 2011.

Prior to this, she held various operational, store and HR roles at fellow supermarket giant Tesco for more than nine years.

In a post on LinkedIn, CEO Stuart Machin said: "Today we've announced some changes to our People Leadership Team at Marks & Spencer.

"Sarah Findlater, who has been our People Director for the last three years and worked at M&S for 27 years, will be leaving M&S in the Autumn. Sarah has been an absolutely fantastic colleague and leader in the business over her time with M&S.

"Having worked with Sarah closely for the last three years, she has been an absolute joy to work with, an incredibly hard worker and someone who cares deeply about M&S and our colleagues.

"Hayley will join the Executive Committee in October 2025 and will start her month induction by working in stores alongside our store colleagues and in distribution centres alongside our distribution colleagues.

"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&S and importantly become even closer to our customers and closer to our colleagues."

Tatum added: "I am thrilled and proud to have been asked to join M&S. After spending my entire career in retail, to be joining the most trusted brand in the UK is a real 'pinch me’ moment. I begin my induction in October, learning and serving alongside the team. Excited…doesn’t quite capture it!"