// M&S has hired Bupa CEO as non-executive director

// Evelyn Bourke will join M&S from February 1

Marks & Spencer has appointed the chief executive of Bupa Group Evelyn Bourke as a non-executive director.

Bourke is set to retire from her current role at the healthcare group at the end of December.

She will become a non-executive director at M&S from February 1.

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• M&S refuses to return £83.7m business rates relief

“She is extremely smart, has highly relevant experience and her appointment further strengthens and broadens the board, who remain closely engaged with the executive team,” M&S chairman Archie Norman said.

Earlier this month, M&S said it will not follow some of the biggest retailers’ footsteps in returning business rates relief it received to help support it through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The retailer claimed business rates relief of £83.7 million from the government in its first half to September 26 and can also claim for its second half.

However, M&S said that the “much-needed support” from the government has provided a backbone to businesses impacted by the pandemic – “including ours”.

Trading at M&S’s high street and town centre stores has been hit by the major drop in customer footfall.

M&S reported a loss for its first half and did not pay shareholders a final dividend for the 2019/20 year and has said it does not anticipate paying dividends for 2020/21.

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