Whitbread CEO Brittain Steps Down From M&S Board Amid Other Changes

(Alliance News) - Marks & Spencer on Thursday said Whitbread PLC Chief Executive Alison Brittain has stepped down from its board amid a raft of other changes.

The FTSE 250-listed British food and clothing retailer said that after six years in her role as non-executive director, the CEO of the Premier Inn operator will step down prior to the annual general meeting in July.

Marks & Spencer added that Eoin Tonge will join the board as chief financial officer on June 8. Back in February, the company said it had hired the CFO of sandwich maker Greencore Group PLC, adding that Interim CFO David Surdeau would remain with the business to support Tonge into his new role.

M&S also said Thursday it has hired Tamara Ingram and Sapna Sood as non-executive directors effective from May 21.

Ingram is currently non-executive chair at digital agency Wunderman Thompson and a non-executive director at professional services firm Marsh MacLennan Co. She was previously chief executive & chair at advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi and also set up the consumer insight division at FTSE 100 marketing company WPP PLC.

Sood is currently a director at contract caterer Compass Group PLC as well as non-executive director at French luxury brand owner Kering SA. She was previously chief executive of LafargeHolcim in the Philippines.

Separately, Katie Bickerstaffe - who moved over to the executive role of chief strategy & transformation director on Monday - will step down from the board at the annual general meeting in July.

"To support the transformation challenge at M&S we have built a very strong board with diverse and relevant operational experience who are closely engaged with the executive team. The appointment of Tamara and Sapna, in addition to Eoin joining the board as an executive director, will bring in fresh and diverse talent and two exceptionally smart new people. Our enormous thanks go to Alison who has been a strong and active board member for the last six years," said M&S Chair Archie Norman.

M&S shares were trading 1.3% lower at 97.59 pence each on Thursday morning in London.

By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com

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