Chairman of Marks and Spencer (M&S), Archie Norman, is confirmed to headline at the 2025 Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading event that connects Europe’s most forward-thinking retailers and leading tech innovators.
Debuting in its new home, ExCeL London, RTS will welcome 15,000 retail professionals to explore its retail carnival on 02 & 03 April 2025, bringing the wonder of retail to life at the industry’s flagship event that celebrates innovation and fast-forwards retailers’ digital transformation.
Speaking on the Headline Stage on Day 1, Norman will join Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle MBE, for an unmissable fireside chat to discuss M&S’ impressive recent transformation and its pioneering work on sustainability. The session will also explore how M&S has substantially changed its omnichannel delivery, how it uses its Sparks programme to drive customer loyalty and insight as well as how the retailer has led its workforce through periods of huge disruption.
During his keynote session, Norman will draw on his extensive retail experience and proven track-record in business change and value creation. Having held the role of Chairman of M&S since 2017, Norman has also been instrumental in transforming several major retailers and brands, including Kingfisher, Asda, ITV and Hobbycraft. He was also the first and only FTSE 100 Chairman to be elected a Member of Parliament (MP), where he served for eight years. As Chairman of Signal AI, Norman will also cover how retailers can use AI to drive profit and market share.
Archie Norman, chairman of M&S, commented: “I am thrilled to be speaking at the UK’s largest retail event and sharing the story of how we are reshaping M&S under the new leadership team. It is an exciting opportunity to delve into our pioneering work in sustainability, our drive to deliver omnichannel experiences and how we are redeveloping to build more personalised customer relationships. In a perpetually changing world, I look forward to discussing how to rejuvenate great retail brands, turnaround businesses and create engaged workforces.”
Matt Bradley, event director at RTS, commented: “We’re thrilled Archie, who’s been at the forefront of transforming so many successful and iconic retail businesses, will join us and deliver what promises to be an insightful session. With retailers facing a myriad of challenges as well as tough and increasingly unpredictable trading conditions, Archie’s session will shine a light on how retailers can map a strategic course for the business change needed to drive long-term performance and growth.”
Norman will join over 125+ senior retailers and brand leaders speaking on the RTS Conference Programme, which sees the sector’s brightest minds take centre stage, discussing the industry-defining topics that are setting the retail agenda.
Split into six tracks across the two-day show, the Conference Programme on Day 1 will cover: Leadership, Workforce and Economy on the Headline stage, sponsored by Aptos, which will see senior C-Suite retailers share insights into transforming businesses for success; the Future of Trading, which will explore ecommerce trends with speakers curated by Commerce Futures; and Customer, Social and Marketing, sponsored by Nuvei, which will tap into insights from loyalty to customer experience and social selling.
On Day 2, the stages will explore: AI, Data and Omnichannel, encompassing key AI trends and best practice examples and use cases; the Future of Retail, which, through an ecommerce lens, will unlock insight from cross-sector brands from luxury to hospitality and travel; and Sustainability, Supply Chain and Efficiency, covering green retail trends and strategies for overcoming supply chain risk while driving efficiencies within business operations.
Register for free to attend the 2025 Retail Technology Show, taking place on 02 & 03 April, 2025 at its new home of London ExCeL, here: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com.
