Marks & Spencer’s executive director of customer, marketing and M&S.com Patrick Bousquet-Chavenne will leave the retailer after six years, in the latest shake-up from the business.
Having spearheaded the M&S’s Mrs Claus Christmas advert, as well as 2017’s Paddington campaign, Bousquet-Chavanne will depart after six years on the board, with a payoff worth up to £2 million.
The outgoing executive’s duties will be split between the marketing departments for food and for clothing and home, with a small central team handling online services.
“Patrick has overseen some extraordinary marketing programmes for M&S corporately and made great strides in laying the foundations of our digital business,” chief executive Steve Rowe said.
Speaking on Twitter in light of the announcement, Bousquet-Chavanne said it was “time for the next venture”, and that he would be leaving at the end of May.
Bousquet-Chavanne told his followers: “Extremely proud of the accomplishments of an amazing team of talented marketing, digital and sustainability colleagues that I have been privileged to lead over the past 6 years. You all gave it a purpose!”
It’s the latest in a line of drastic management changes from M&S, as it compiles a new fashion and home leadership team.
Director of food Andy Adcock will leave at the end of this month, finance director Helen Weir left in March, and head of womenswear, lingerie and beauty Jo Jenkins departed from the retailer in October last year.
With new chairman Archie Norman now installed, there’s likely to be even more change afoot as the retailer undertakes a radical transformation plan after being described by Norman as “drifting” for the past 15 years.
Alongside a boardroom shuffle, M&S has confirmed plans to close up to 14 stores as well as shutting its distribution centre in Hardwick Grange.
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