Leading high street retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced today that Jan du Plessis will takeover from Sir David Michels as the group‘s Senior Independent Director.
Michels announced his intention to step down from retailer‘s board, which he joined as Deputy Chairman in 2006, last May and will make his formal exit from the business this week (February 29th 2012).
The current Chairman of global mining company Rio Tinto and former Chairman of British American Tobacco, Jan du Plessis, who joined M&S in 2008 as a non-executive director will assume Michels former position from March 1st.
Robert Swannell, M&S Chairman, commented: “On behalf of the M&S board, I would like to thank David for his great commitment and contribution to M&S, and particularly for his leadership of the Nomination & Governance Committe and his role in ensuring a smooth succession.
“We are delighted that Jan has agreed to succeed David as Senior Independent Director.”
During the early part of his career Michaels worked for Grand Metropolitan Ladbrokes and Stakis before becoming CEO of global hotel chain Hilton Group from 2000 to 2006.
The departure of Michels from the M&S board follows the revelation last week that two of its directors, Susan Aubrey-Cound and Alison Jones, had also decided to leave the firm.
