Vittorio Radice to exit M&S
Stuart Rose puts own team in place
Vittorio Radice, Marks & Spencer’s high-profile general merchandise director, is leaving the business this week.
The departure of Radice, the former Selfridges chief executive who joined M&S a year ago, comes as new chief executive Stuart Rose puts his own team in place.
Radice, who joined as director of home and had seen his role expand to take on responsibility for revitalising clothing ranges and stores, was closely associated with departed chief executive Roger Holmes. He also spearheaded the Lifestore homeware-only format, which has an uncertain future under the new regime.
M& said Radice is leaving ‘by mutual consent’. Rose said: “Vittorio is a hugely talented retailer and we would like to thank him for his valuable contribution to the company during his time here. We wish him well.”
[img r]M&Slifestorelogo.jpg[/img]Radice said: “I enjoyed my year at Marks & Spencer enormously and we achieved a lot. This is a very exciting time for the icon brand on the high street. I wish the new team at Marks & Spencer well for the future.”
Rose also confirmed the roles of Charles Wilson and Steven Sharp, both of whom joined Marks & Spencer with him. As executive director, Wilson will be in charge of property, IT and supply chain and will work with Rose on strategy. Sharp will sit on the executive committee and will be responsible for marketing, store development and design.
Other changes see Maurice Helfgott move from executive director, food to executive director of menswear, childrenswear and home. Guy Farrant will take on interim responsibility for the food division, reporting directly to Rose. A new executive director of food will be recruited.
Rose, bought in by M&S ten days ago to lead the retailer’s defence against a possible bid by Philip Green, said: “We have a huge opportunity at Marks & Spencer and some very talented people. We wanted to move quickly to ensure we have the right people in the right roles so we can move forward.”
M&S senior independent director Brian Baldock, due to retire as he reaches 70 this month, has been asked to continue in office as part of the company’s successional arrangements. New non-executive directors will join the board during the next year, leading to the eventual retirement of Baldock and Dame Stella Rimington from the M&S board.
