Marks and Spencer Group plc (M&S) announces two new appointments to its General Merchandise management team that complete the new team structure recently outlined by John Dixon.
The new structure realigns responsibilities, ensures greater accountability by creating four larger trading departments, and strengthens and improves the team.
As a result, the following additional appointments, reporting to John Dixon have been made:
Frances Russell has been promoted to the position of Director of Womenswear with immediate effect. Frances has been with M&S for the last four years, most recently as Director of Lingerie and Beauty. Prior to M&S Frances worked at Arcadia her previous roles included Brand Director of Burton and Evans.
Janie Schaffer will join M&S as Director of Lingerie and Beauty in early 2013. Janie joins M&S from Victoria's Secret where she was Chief Creative Officer responsible for all clothing, lingerie and beauty products. Janie has a stellar retail pedigree which includes the launch and ownership of the Knickerbox brand.
Frances and Janie's appointments complete the senior GM Team. Belinda Earl joined as Style Director in September, Stephanie Chen is now running the Kids and Home team and Scott Fyfe takes up his new role as Director of Menswear in December.
As a result of today's appointments, Annette Browne, former Womenswear Trading Director has stepped down from her role and is leaving M&S with immediate effect.
John Dixon, Executive Director, said: "Since joining the GM Team in October, one of my priorities has been ensuring that we have the right leadership team and right structure to take us forward. I am delighted to complete the team with the promotion of Frances and the appointment of Janie. We are now all absolutely focused on delivering the right product for our customers."
Marc Bolland, Chief Executive, said: "We have been able to establish a team that combines the best of M&S experience with exciting, new, external talent. Their impact will start to come through when we launch our Autumn/Winter collections in July next year."
