The chief technology officer of e-tail giant ASOS is leaving the business after nearly a decade with the firm and is preparing for a “new and exciting challenge in the renewable energy sector at the start of August”.

Clifford Cohen joined ASOS nine years ago in charge of its digital ops — a key role given that it’s an online-only brand — and made the announcement of his departure on LinkedIn.

Before ASOS he’d been a key player in M&S’s IT department, his last role there being head of IT and interim chief information officer until April 2015.

And his replacement? For now it’s Hugh Williams who’s been named interim executive vice-president for technology. 

ASOS’s CEO hailed Williams’ “extensive experience across major global technology companies such as Microsoft, eBay, and Google”, and his advisory role for the e-tailer over the past 18 months relating to its technology and digital product strategy.

Cohen said it was a “difficult decision” to leave ASOS and added that it’s “been an absolute pleasure and honour to lead the tech team”. He thanked the team, as well as ASOS chiefs past and present “Jose Antonio Ramos, Nick Beighton and Nick Robertson for all their support and friendship over the years”.