LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Marks & Spencer,Britain's biggest clothing retailer, has parted company with itshead of womenswear less than a month after the boss of itsnon-food division quit the business.
M&S said on Tuesday that Frances Russell, who has led thewomenswear business for nearly three years, has left thecompany.
M&S said it has promoted Jo Jenkins into the expanded roleof director of womenswear, lingerie and beauty. She had beenlingerie and beauty director for two years and previous to thatspent 15 years at rival Next.
The changes are the first wrought by Steve Rowe, whoreplaced John Dixon as head of general merchandise, spanningclothing, shoes and homeware, on July 16.
Dixon quit to be chief executive at an unnamed company.
Rowe's move from being head of M&S food put him in poleposition to succeed Marc Bolland as group chief executive.
Having reviewed the general merchandise leadership, Rowedecided to bring together all the product areas designed forfemale customers under one line of accountability, so as tobetter exploit synergies.
Last month M&S reported a dip in first-quarter underlyingsales in general merchandise, a setback after a return to growthfor the first time in 15 quarters in the previous three months.
Shares in M&S, up 31 percent over the last year, closedTuesday at 547 pence, valuing the business at 9 billion pounds ($14 billion).
($1 = 0.6420 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Marks & Spencer (MKS)