Marks & Spencer has today announced a series of changes designed to simplify its management structure in order to drive speedier decision making and move the business closer to its customers.
As part of this, there have been some changes to responsibilities of the Executive Directors. Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne becomes Executive Director of Customer, Marketing & M&S.com, and assumes new responsibilities for M&S.com and Plan A. Consequently, the International business now reports to the CEO, Steve Rowe.
Helen Weir, Chief Finance Officer, assumes responsibility for Strategy Implementation.
As already stated, Laura Wade-Gery will be on maternity leave until September. We look forward to welcoming her back and will update on her responsibilities on her return.
M&S is also establishing a new Operating Committee that will be accountable for the day-to-day running of the business as well as for the development and execution of strategy.
On the Operating Committee, the Executive Directors will be joined by the Directors of Food (Andy Adcock); Womenswear, Lingerie & Beauty (Jo Jenkins); Retail (Sacha Berendji); International (Paul Friston); Communications & Investor Relations (Dominic Fry); Human Resources (Simmone Haywood); and the Group Secretary & Head of Corporate Governance (Amanda Mellor).
Steve Rowe (pictured), M&S CEO, said, “On my first day as CEO, I committed to putting M&S customers at the heart of everything we do. These changes reflect this; a simpler management structure with a smaller, more focused team running M&S will lead to more efficient decision making and move us closer to our customers.
“The new Operating Committee will be working together to improve M&S, starting with fixing our Clothing & Home offer for our customers, our employees and our shareholders.”