Marks & Spencer appoints Jill McDonald to head up clothing, home and beauty category
Marks & Spencer has appointed Halfords chief executive Jill McDonald to the new role of managing director for clothing, home and beauty.
In her new position, McDonald will be responsible for overall profit and loss accountability for all aspects of the M&S non-food business. This will range from design and sourcing through to supply chain and logistics.
She will report directly in to M&S chief executive Steve Rowe.
In a statement, Rowe said: “I am pleased with the progress we have made in clothing and 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 are delighted that she is joining us. Jill’s first-class customer knowledge and great experience in running dynamic, high achieving teams make her exactly the right person to lead this all-important part of our business from recovery in to growth.”
Due to join M&S in the autumn with the date yet to be confirmed, McDonald will part of the retailer’s Operating Committee, which is accountable for the day-to-day running of the business and the development and execution of strategy.
As a result of the appointment, M&S has also announced a change of responsibility for Rowe, who will relinquish his clothing, home and beauty accountabilities to McDonald on her arrival. In addition, chief financial officer Helen Weir will hand over responsibility for the clothing, home and beauty supply chain and logistics.
McDonald said: “M&S has a unique, special relationship with its customers and I am 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.”