Marks and Spencer has made a further management change, in the wake of the reshuffle of its top team to stem the decline in its clothing business.
Merchandising director Sacha Berendji – a former executive assistant to Marc Bolland, chief executive, and his predecessor, Sir Stuart Rose – has been named retail director.
The appointment was necessary after Steve Rowe, the current retail director, was promoted to head of food in Tuesday’s reshuffle.
Retail director is a crucial role at M&S, as it carries responsibility for all of its stores and store operations.
Mr Berendji was elevated to merchandising director in March after the departure of M&S veteran Andrew Skinner, where he was responsible for stock management.
He will take up his new role in December, once new director of general merchandise John Dixon is in place and working with Belinda Earl, the former Jaeger and Debenhams chief executive who will spend two-to-three days a week in M&S as style adviser.
M&S on Tuesday announced far-reaching changes to its top management team, including the departure, as revealed in the FT, of Kate Bostock, head of all non-food at M&S.
The shake-up came after the worst trading in general merchandise in three years, driven by a sharp slowdown in womenswear.