Marks & Spencer has announced the appointment of Kirsty Ward as the new director of M&S Bank and Services.
Ward will join the British multi-national retail group on 19 November 2018.
She will report to M&S strategy director, Mel Smith and will be responsible for driving innovation, growth and digital development of M&S Bank and M&S Energy.
“M&S Bank and M&S Energy are great opportunities for us to reach more customers with the trusted M&S brand, and Kirsty’s appointment will give us greater focus on growing these important parts of our business,” Smith said.
Transformation Plan
Ward’s appointment is part of the transformation of M&S’ operational and leadership team with an emphasis on the M&S Bank and M&S Energy businesses.
Earlier this year, M&S launched its first ever mortgage range and announced a new digital, fair priced energy proposition for customers of Octopus Energy.
In July of this year, Marks & Spencer announced a strategic partnership with Octopus Energy, with the aim to transform the M&S Energy brand.
Kirsty Ward is an industry veteran and was previously the vice president of financial services at Walmart.
Prior to her US role at Walmart, Ward held the portfolio of senior director at Asda money, banking and mobile.
She has also previously worked for M&S Bank, formerly known as M&S Money, as the head of product management.
“It’s a great opportunity to return to M&S Bank. There is huge potential for the brand to become more relevant, more often to our existing customers and appeal to new customers. I’m excited to be part of the M&S family again at such an important time in the business’s transformation,” Ward said.
M&S Bank is managed by HSBC and provides trusted services, including current and savings accounts, cards, insurance, mortgages and travel money.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
