M&S Strengthens International Leadership Team with Key Appointments as Part of Business Reset

M&S Strengthens International Leadership Team with Key Appointments as Part of Business Reset

(IN BRIEF) M&S has appointed three senior leaders to strengthen its International business, which is undergoing a strategic reset. Manish Kapoor, Victoria Jones, and Richard Davies will each bring their extensive global experience to key roles, supporting M&S’s growth ambitions across the world. The appointments are part of the company’s broader plan to leverage partnerships and enhance its online presence for future expansion.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 17-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Marks & Spencer (M&S) is making significant strides in revitalizing its International business by appointing three senior leaders to its global team. These strategic appointments come as part of the company’s broader plan to reset its international priorities and accelerate growth on the global stage.

Manish Kapoor, formerly Managing Director at Pepe Jeans, will take on the role of Managing Director for M&S India. Victoria Jones, who previously worked at Clarks, joins M&S as Commercial Director, International, while Richard Davies, who has been promoted from his role as Head of Category for Brands at M&S, will now serve as International Partnerships Director.

All three leaders will report to Mark Lemming, the newly appointed Managing Director of International, who has been tasked with resetting the International business. Since his appointment last year, Mark has been focused on building a robust foundation for future expansion through capital-efficient partnerships and an enhanced online platform. His long-term vision includes leveraging M&S’s established UK business to extend the brand’s global reach.

The appointments of Manish, Victoria, and Richard reflect M&S’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and ensuring the company’s International business is set up for sustainable growth. With their combined experience in retail, global strategy, and brand expansion, they are poised to play a crucial role in the next phase of M&S’s international development.

Mark Lemming commented on the new appointments: “The reset of our International business is about making deliberate decisions and taking the right actions to build sustainable growth. Manish, Victoria, and Richard bring a wealth of global expertise that will be instrumental as we reset our strategy and look toward future growth.”

“As we advance with our plans, I remain optimistic about M&S’s ability to capture medium- and long-term growth opportunities in the global market,” he added.

Manish Kapoor will officially join the M&S International leadership team in April, while Victoria and Richard are already in their respective roles.

Notes to Editors:

Manish Kapoor brings over two decades of experience in building global retail brands, having most recently served as Managing Director & CEO for Pepe Jeans India. Previously, he held the role of Chief Operating Officer at French Connection in India, where he successfully turned the brand into a profitable menswear business. Manish’s extensive career also includes leading Benetton’s India operations, where he expanded the brand’s footprint in South and Southeast Asia and launched its e-commerce platform in India.

Victoria Jones joins M&S from Clarks, where she spent three years leading the global strategy for end-to-end planning, assortment, trading, and delivery. She will be responsible for overseeing the product strategy for M&S’s international operations, ensuring the right product mix is available across both Clothing and Food.

Richard Davies has been with M&S since 2011, starting as a Regional Manager for the Southeast. After a series of roles within Clothing & Home, he was appointed Head of Category for ‘Brands at M&S’ in 2021, where he developed the UK third-party brand strategy, which now includes over 100 partners. Richard’s new role will unite the Franchise and Wholesale selling models, helping to drive M&S’s international partnerships forward.

Media Contact:

M&S Corporate Press Office
+44 (0)20 8718 1919
corporate.press@marks-and-spencer.com

SOURCE: M&S