M&S fashion MD out after ‘troubled year’

MARKS & Spencer’s fashion boss is leaving after less than two years as its clothing business struggles with supply problems.

The departure of Jill McDonald as managing director of clothing and home was announced days after chief executive Steve Rowe referred to a “troubled year” for the division at the retailer’s annual meeting.

Rowe, who will

Out...Jill McDonald take over her responsibilities, said 55-year-old former Halfords boss McDonald had “improved the quality and style of product and set a clear direction for the business to attract a younger family-age customer”.

But he added: “The business now needs to move on at pace to address longstanding issues in our supply chain around availability and flow of product.” Clothing and home sales fell 1.6 per cent last year.