Tatum, who has spent the past 14 years with Asda as chief people officer, will join Marks & Spencer in October 2025 to replace outgoing people director Sarah Findlater.
The news was announced on LinkedIn by the retailer’s chief executive Stuart Machin, two days after Tatum had confirmed she was leaving Asda.
In her post, Tatum described her time at Asda as an “amazing journey” during which she worked alongside “fantastic colleagues both in Leeds and in the US”.
“I leave the team in the very safe hands of James Goodman, who I’ve had the chance to get to know and handover to during the summer,” she added.
Machin explained that Tatum will sit on the Marks & Spencer executive committee and will start her month induction by “working in stores alongside our store colleagues and in distribution centres alongside our distribution colleagues”.
Machin continued: “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.”
On the departure of Findlater, Machin said she has been a fantastic colleague and leader during her 27 years with Marks & Spencer.
“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,” he added.
Responding to Machin’s confirmation of her new role with Marks & Spencer, Tatum posted: “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.”
Food Manufacture has reached out to Marks and Spencer for a formal statement.
