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M&S Hires Commercial Director For Food From Rival Tesco

By Dayeeta Das
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M&S Hires Commercial Director For Food From Rival Tesco

Marks & Spencer has hired the commercial director of Tesco's fresh-food division to take on the same role at M&S Food, which the British retailer is trying to modernise.

In 2019, George Wright will join M&S, which last year began a five-year programme of store closures and relocations as part of moves to make its food business more competitive.

Seeking Reinvention

The British retailer took on retail veteran Archie Norman as chairman just before it began its latest attempt at a turnaround, after more than a decade of failed reinventions.

M&S said that Wright will be responsible for trading and supply chain operations at its food division, while April Preston will be rejoining as a product development director in November.

'Geared For Change'

Commenting on the appointment, Stuart Machin, M&S Food managing director, said, "I am determined to use a mix of great internal talent and impressive new hires to build a winning team to transform M&S Food into a winning business – a team geared up for change and united in their common love and passion for creating great-tasting, quality food for our customers.

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"Having the right leaders in place is our first step in the early stages of this transformation plan," Machin added.

He described Wright as a "brilliant operator who is very well respected by the supply chain for his fair and commercial approach", while Preston was described as a "true food disruptor who has an innate talent for creating amazing, customer-loved products.

"They will both bring skills and talents to M&S that will complement and complete the Food Leadership Team," said Machin.

News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.

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