Former Asda saviour joins Marks & Spencer

ARCHIE NORMAN, the retail veteran best known for rescuing Asda in the 1990s, is to join Marks & Spencer as its new chairman.

Mr Norman, who successfully turned around Asda during one of its grimmest periods, hopes to help M&S chief executive Steve Rowe improve sluggish sales at M&S’s clothing arm and oversee a wide-ranging revamp of product ranges and prices.

Mr Norman will succeed Robert Swannell, who is retiring after six years in the role, when he takes up the position on September 1.

Mr Norman has also served as chairman of ITV, Lazard and Hobbycraft, as well as stints at Kingfisher and Energis.

He said: “I am looking forward to taking on the role of the chairmanship of Marks & Spencer as the business under Steve Rowe’s leadership faces into the considerable challenges ahead in a rapidly changing retail landscape.”

Mr Norman also served as a Tory MP after being elected to the Tunbridge Wells constituency in 1997. He stood down in 2005. Analyst Clive Black at Shore Capital said: “Mr Norman is a formidable appointment who, alongside Steve Rowe, who is CEO of M&S, means that there are two very strong characters at the helm of a once great British label that is trying to refind its purpose and relevance to the British shopper to profitable effect.”