M&S shake-up sparks chaos at troubled chain
THE KNIVES are out at Marks & Spencer after a shake-up at the troubled high street chain that has claimed womenswear boss Frances Russell as its victim.
Russell, who has led the womenswear business for three years, has been replaced by M&S lingerie boss Jo Jenkins, who has been promoted to the expanded role of director of womenswear, lingerie and beauty.
The sweeping changes, reported in the Financial Times, are the first to be introduced by Steve Rowe, who assumed leadership of M&S general merchandise division less than a month ago after the shock departure of John Dixon.
Analyst Nick Bubb said Russell’s exit was as much about office politics as it was about strategy.
Bubb said: “If you were a sharp-elbowed and ambitious Rowe, three weeks into the job after the sudden departure of John Dixon, then why not get rid of one your biggest rivals – who was evidently unhappy at being overlooked for your job – and install an apparent acolyte Jo Jenkins?”