Marks & Spencer chairman Archie Norman has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the Retail Technology Show (RTS) 2026, returning to the event following his appearance last year.
Taking place at ExCeL London on 22–23 April 2026, the Retail Technology Show will bring together more than 16,000 senior retail professionals to explore developments in retail technology, innovation and long-term business performance.
Norman will appear on the Supernova Stage on Day 2 in a fireside conversation with Kate Hardcastle MBE. The discussion will explore customer trust, brand authority, technology innovation and the role of own-brand product, following Marks & Spencer being named the UK’s most trusted retailer in 2025. The session will also examine how the business has maintained resilience during a period of operational disruption and challenging external trading conditions.
The conversation will consider how Marks & Spencer has broadened its customer appeal through social-first marketing, live shopping initiatives and a renewed focus on its High Street fashion offer. It will also explore how the retailer is working with technology partners to embed sustainability across the business, including resale, circularity, food redistribution and renewable energy, while supporting international growth.
During his keynote, Norman will reflect on his wider career in retail leadership and business transformation. His tenure as chairman of Marks & Spencer was extended in 2025 to oversee the next phase of the retailer’s Reshaping for Growth strategy. He has previously held senior roles at Kingfisher, Asda, ITV and Hobbycraft, and remains the only FTSE 100 chairman to have served as a Member of Parliament, holding office for eight years.
“Archie’s session was one of the standout moments of RTS 2025, with his no-holds-barred discussion and invaluable insights drawing a standing-room-only crowd, reinforcing just how strongly our audience wants to hear from Marks & Spencer. As an iconic British retailer, M&S continues to set the pace, embedding technology and innovation across the business while maintaining the trust and confidence of customers in a fast-changing and unpredictable market. We’re delighted to welcome Archie back to the Headline Stage in 2026 for what promises to be another unmissable conversation for retailers looking to drive long-term growth and customer connection.”
Matt Bradley, Founder & Event Director, Retail Technology Show
