M&S restructures exec team to position for ‘future of retail’

Marks & Spencer’s marketing boss Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne has been handed responsibility for its international business while ecommerce director Laura Wade-Gery adds oversight of the retailer’s UK stores as part of an exec restructure aimed at positioning M&S for the ‘future of retail’.

Marks Spencer

Currently both the international and UK retail businesses report into chief executive Marc Bolland. An M&S spokeswoman says the changes are aimed at widening the accountability and responsibilities of board level executives and making sure the business is aligned across platforms and countries.

Bousquet-Chavanne is taking over responsibility for the international business, alongside his current role as executive director of marketing and business development. He will be tasked with globalising brand opportunities and ensuring a consistent brand experience whether shoppers are in the UK or abroad.

Costas Antimissaris, currently business development director, has been appointed international director and will now report into Bousquet-Chavanne. He replaces Jan Heere, who is leaving to return to Russia.

Meanwhile Laura Wade-Gery, executive director of multi-channel, is assuming responsibility for UK retail in addition to her current M&S.com remit. The move will ensure all UK retail channels, whether stores, online or on mobile, are consistent and that M&S has “one view of the customer”, says the spokeswoman.

Both will now have responsibility for operating profit in their respective areas, as will food executive director Steve Rowe and general merchandise boss John Dixon.

The reshuffle comes as M&S looks to reposition as an international, multi-channel business. It has recently invested £150m in a new content-focused website and announced plans to open 250 stores outside the UK over the next three years.

Bolland says: “Over the last three years, we have worked hard to transform M&S into an international, multi-channel retailer that is fit for the future of retail. We now have the right infrastructure in place to take our business forward, and as we enter the next phase of our plan, we need to make sure our team structures and internal processes allow us to move with pace, simplicity and speed.”

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