Marks & Spencer announces that Stuart Machin, currently Group CEO, Steinhoff UK, has been appointed to the new role of Managing Director of Food in a move designed to overhaul M&S’s Food arm as it accelerates its business-wide transformation plan.
Machin will join M&S in late April and will have overall P&L accountability for all aspects of the M&S Food business. He will report into M&S’s CEO, Steve Rowe, and work closely alongside Clothing & Home MD, Jill McDonald, who is leading the transformation in non-food.
He brings extensive experience of leading and executing retail transformation in both the UK and in Australia. An established Food expert, who has also driven radical change programmes in non-food, Machin has worked across the sector for over 30 years. Prior to joining Steinhoff, Machin was CEO of Target Australia for three years having previously been COO of Coles Supermarkets Australia. His impressive Food Retail career spans successful appointments at ASDA Walmart, Tesco and J Sainsbury.
CEO Steve Rowe said, “We face challenges in our Food business and we have lots to do to change, fast. Stuart is an excellent addition to our team. He gets Food retailing and he has first class experience of driving change in big food retailers. At M&S we need to sharpen our prices, improve our products, drive profitability and grow market share – Stuart is the right leader to get on and deliver these changes.”
Machin said, “My heart lies in Food retail and I am excited to bring my passion for dynamic, customer-led Food retailing to M&S. The business has many reasons to be proud of its Food offer but there are also opportunities and lots to deliver under the transformation plan that Steve has laid out. I am looking forward to joining the team.”
On arrival Machin will be working closely with Sharry Cramond, newly appointed Food Marketing Director, who is transforming M&S Food marketing and focused on improving customer perceptions on price and provenance. His appointment further strengthens the top team, which includes Jill McDonald and CFO designate Humphrey Singer who will join M&S later this year.
As a result of Machin's appointment, Andy Adcock, Director of Food will leave the company at the end of April. Rowe said, “I’d like to sincerely thank Andy for his significant contribution to M&S over the last nine years and wish him well for the future.”
