Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the appointment of Jill McDonald, currently chief executive officer of Halfords, as managing director for clothing, home & beauty.
Jill’s role will have overall profit and loss accountability for all aspects of the M&S non-food business, from design and sourcing through to supply chain and logistics.
Jill will join in the autumn, on a date to be confirmed, and will be part of the M&S operating committee: the team accountable for the day-to-day running of the business and the development and execution of strategy. She will report directly in to chief executive officer Steve Rowe
As a result of this appointment, M&S has also announced a change of responsibility for Steve Rowe, who will relinquish his clothing, home & beauty accountabilities to Jill on her arrival; and for chief financial officer Helen Weir, who will hand over responsibility for the clothing, home & beauty supply chain and logistics.
Steve commented: “I’m pleased with the progress we have made in clothing & home over the last year and the time is now right for this appointment.
“Jill is an excellent addition to the M&S senior leadership team and we’re delighted that she is joining us. Her first-class customer knowledge and great experience in running dynamic high achieving teams, makes her exactly the right person to lead this all-important part of our business from recovery in to growth.”
Jill said: “M&S has a unique, special relationship with its customers and I’m very motivated by working closely with customers to drive and shape results.
“I have long been an M&S customer and professional fan. So working with the brand was a career opportunity that I just couldn’t turn down. I’m looking forward to joining Steve and the team later this year to build on the plans that are already under way.”
