Marks and Spencer has a new chairman.
The high street stalwart has appointed Archie Norman to the job, effective 1 September, replacing Robert Swannell who is retiring.
Mr Norman, the former MP for Tunbridge Wells, has in the past served as chairman of broadcaster ITV, advisory and asset management firm Lazard London and retail chain Hobbycraft. He was also the chief executive of Asda.
In 2016 he was appointed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as its lead non-executive board member.
“I am looking forward to taking on the role […] as the business under [CEO] Steve Rowe’s leadership faces into the considerable challenges ahead in a rapidly changing retail landscape,” he said.
Mr Swannell said that the new team is “well-equipped to grow and strengthen the business”.
Marks and Spencer last year announced a major overhaul to cut costs and face the challenge of changing consumer tastes and behaviours.
It said that it would close about 60 clothing and home stores over the next five years, and pull out of international markets like Belgium, Estonia, Hungary and Lithuania, cutting thousands of jobs.
Mr Rowe said that the business had become too complex and inefficient and that his aim was to grow the retailer’s successful food business while simplifying its other offerings.
