M&S head of operations Simon Wood to leave after more than 25 years

Marks & Spencer head of operations Simon Wood is leaving the retailer after more than 25 years, having joined the company's online team in 2000.

Wood announced his departure in a LinkedIn post, saying: "After more than 25 years, the time has come for me to move on from M&S."

He said he had "had the privilege of helping to build M&S's digital operations" during his tenure at the business.

Wood's time at M&S tracks the retailer's ecommerce development. He joined the online team in 2000, when internet retailing was still developing for most high street brands.

By 2010, Wood held the role of head of web operations and was involved in the company's online video commerce strategy. He later became head of operations at M&S.com, a position he held for much of his career at the business.

In 2020, Wood stepped up to serve as acting e-commerce director on an interim basis while M&S recruited for the permanent role. He returned to his head of operations position once Stephen Langford, who was hired from Asda's George brand, joined as e-commerce director.

Wood's departure comes as M&S continues to invest in its digital and omnichannel capabilities. The retailer has made its online business a key part of its wider transformation strategy in recent years, with food delivery partnerships and a growing clothing and home online offer.

M&S has not publicly commented on Wood's successor or plans for the role.

Wood did not disclose his next move in his LinkedIn post. His exit takes one of the longest-serving members out of the retailer's digital operations team, after more than two decades of change in how M&S sells online.