Marks & Spencer has confirmed that its new managing director for clothing, home and beauty, Jill McDonald, will start on October 2.

The department store chain first announced McDonald would be taking up the role back in May, but a start date was not announced at the time.

Stepping into a brand new role, McDonald will be responsible for the overall profit and loss accountability in all aspects of M&S‘s non-food arm, a division of the business which has been struggling in recent years while its food division continues to boom.

She will report directly to chief executive Steve Rowe.

Up until now, Rowe had been responsible for clothing, home and beauty at M&S and he will relinquish this part of his duties as chief executive once McDonald starts.

McDonald will also be part of the department store chain‘s operating committee, the team accountable for the day-to-day running of the business and the development and execution of strategy.

Chief financial officer Helen Weir will also hand over responsibility for the clothing, home and beauty supply chain and logistics.

McDonald will step down from her current role as Halfords chief executive at the end of this month before making the move to M&S.

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