M&S delivered a shock leadership team update on Thursday — well shocking to outsiders as the company has apparently been working on the moves for a while — with news that John Lyttle, formerly CEO of Boohoo Group, will be joining on 3 March as MD of Clothing, Home & Beauty in a planned succession. He takes over from Richard Price who’s been in the role since 2020 and is “leaving M&S to pursue a portfolio career, following a handover period”, at the end of April.

M&S said Lyttle has “extensive retail and transformation experience, spending five years at Boohoo and nine years at Primark as COO”.

Maddy Evans, currently director of Womenswear, will also take on a broader role including Lingerie, becoming director of M&S Woman. Charlotte Davies, its director of Lingerie who recently joined from Hunkemöller where she was chief product officer, will report to Evans.

And David Brittain will join as director of Home & Beauty at the end of April from Amazon. He’s currently business development director, Amazon Fashion, Europe. 

Additionally, Heidi Woodhouse, who’s director of Home, Furniture & Beauty will be leaving M&S after a handover period with Brittain.

CEO Stuart Machin said that “thanks to Richard’s leadership, the Clothing, Home & Beauty business is now on a much stronger footing with improved product. Style perceptions have increased consistently and our lead on quality and value has extended, driving growth in sales and market share. Richard leaves the business as a long-standing friend of M&S and we wish him the very best.

“That said, there remains much to do and so much opportunity in this next phase of our plan to reshape M&S for future growth. Changes under way to embed strategic sourcing partnerships, a modern planning platform and an efficient logistics network are nascent and there is lots to do to develop a truly omnichannel Clothing, Home & Beauty business.”

He also said that Lyttle “brings extensive experience in driving strong volume-based growth and supply chain transformation across store-based and pureplay retailers. His down-to-earth leadership style fits with our sleeves rolled up, ‘tell it as it is’ culture.

“John will be supported by a strong leadership team. Maddy Evans is transforming our Womenswear proposition and I am delighted to broaden her remit to include our trusted heartland of Lingerie. Bringing all of our Womenswear categories together will further improve our customer proposition and style credentials, and this change builds on the progress Charlotte Davies has already started to make.

“David Brittain is a great addition to the leadership team with a strong track record across Fashion, Home & Beauty in stores and online.”