UK retailer Marks & Spencer has launched its first official alumni network to bring together its vast global community of former employees.
With the 'M&S Family' network, the retailer hopes to enable everyone who has worked for the company to join the family and have the chance to continue to contribute to the business.
A Huge Community
Katie Bickerstaffe, chief strategy and transformation director and sponsor of the M&S Family Alumni Network said, "We have a huge community of former colleagues who remain our most passionate advocates and constructive critics.
"But to date, we've barely scratched the surface when it comes to tapping into the enthusiasm and opportunity our fantastic extended M&S family can provide – be that supporting our recruitment pipeline, mentoring, backing our community initiatives or providing candid feedback on our products and services."
Bickerstaffe described the creation of the network as an "enormous opportunity to build an incredible community that supports each other and can help transform M&S."
The retailer has teamed up with Enterprise Alumni to create the network.
Events
M&S is also building a series of events and content for its alumni, with the help of its 'Family Founder Panel', comprising leaders of existing smaller alumni groups on social media and some of the retailer's longest-serving store managers.
The programme will include alumni events, interviews and the sharing of archived content from the retailer.
Clare Ball, chair of the group's Baker Street Facebook Group and a member of the Family Founder Panel, said, "M&S is in my DNA. I joined in 1985 and spent 13 fantastic years at the Baker Street office.
"The alumni network will be the perfect way to stay informed and reminisce about the old times."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
