// Incoming Marks & Spencer stores chief David Lepley quits before starting
// He will remain with Morrisons, where he is operations director but has been offered a bigger role
// M&S only announced David Lepley’s appointment last month
The newly-appointed Marks & Spencer stores director has changed his mind about taking on the role before he even started it.
According to Retail Week, David Lepley will now remain with Morrisons after the Big 4 grocer reportedly offered him a bigger role than his current operations director position.
M&S has only announced Lepley’s appointment last month and a spokesperson for the retailer confirmed he would no longer be joining the company.
READ MORE:
- M&S poaches Morrisons’ operations exec as store director
- M&S CFO Humphrey Singer’s departure date revealed
- M&S: Turnaround of clothing division “behind schedule”
M&S is reportedly already in talks with other candidates for what was meant to be Lepley’s post, seen as a key part of the bellwether retailer’s turnaround programme.
Lepley began his career at Morrisons as store replenishment director in 2016, and was later promoted to operations director in 2017.
He is also a former vice-president of Asda’s online grocery business and project manager for ex-Asda chief executive Andy Clarke.
Had he moved to M&S, he would have reported to M&S retail, operations and property director Sacha Berendji.
It is not yet known what Lepley’s new role would be at Morrisons.
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