Olympic chief quits M&S
Barbara Cassani steps down as non-exec
February 6 2004
Marks and Spencer has announced that Barbara Cassani is stepping down as a non-executive director to focus on London’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Cassani, the former boss of budget airline Go, took up the non-exec role at the high street retailer last autumn, shortly after taking on the job of spearheading the capital’s bid for the games. She will leave the M&S board at the end of April.
M&S chairman Luc Vandevelde said: “I am sorry that Barbara has decided to leave the board, but I fully understand her desire to concentrate solely on bringing the Olympics to Britain in 2012. Marks & Spencer would not wish to distract her in any way from such an important cause and my colleagues on the board join me in wishing Barbara success and thank her for her contribution.”
Cassani said: “Whilst I would have liked to stay longer at Marks & Spencer, I do not believe I am able to give the role of non-executive director the attention it deserves without it affecting my focus on the task of leading the Olympic bid.”
