M&S names John Lewis' Helen Weir as new finance chief

LONDON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer on Monday named John Lewis' chief financialofficer Helen Weir as its new finance head.

Weir will succeed Alan Stewart, who quit M&S in July to joinTesco, as chief finance officer on a date to beconfirmed.

Weir had been CFO at John Lewis since 2012 and previouslyheld senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group andKingfisher.

Since July, Paul Friston, executive assistant to M&S chiefexecutive Marc Bolland, has been M&S's interim CFO but was not acandidate for the permanent position.

Earlier this month M&S reported its first rise in first-halfprofit for four years and raised its margin guidance for thefull year. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Neil Maidment)