M&S Clothing & Home MD joins Refined Networks as NED

M&S Clothing and Home managing director Richard Price has been appointed as a non-executive director at Refined Networks, the global platform for cross-border digital commerce.

The non-executive appointment comes at a time of rapid expansion for Refined Networks. Since 2021, the company has partnered with over 40 international fashion brands to launch them cross-border on leading online marketplaces, and is accelerating its growth in SS25 with a portfolio of new launches onto Nordstrom and Macy’s, as well as into platforms in Europe and the Middle East.

Co-founded by Ben Barnett, former CEO of TFG London, Sune Bjerregaard, former CEO of Masai and Ian Wallis, former global retail director at Phase Eight, Price’s addition to the Refined Networks board brings with it three decades of retail experience from his roles at Next, M&S, BHS and Tesco’s F&F Clothing.

Since Price returned to M&S in July 2020 as MD for Clothing and Home, the firm said he has “revolutionised” the business both in-store and online, with significant growth in market share, improved customer perceptions of style, quality and value, and the launch of Brands at M&S, which is now home to more than 100 third-party brands.

Price said: “I am thrilled to join the Refined Networks board at such a pivotal time in the company’s journey. With the world’s leading retailers launching their own third-party brand platforms, fashion brands have a huge opportunity for growth – but often lack the relationships, expertise or resources to trade across multiple platforms, or cross-border into new markets. I look forward to joining the board as an NED, supporting the development of the Refined Networks solution and helping fashion brands realise their global potential.”

Barnett added: “We are delighted to be bringing on board a retail leader of Richard’s calibre – and one that shares our belief in the power of digital marketplaces to drive fashion’s growth globally. In just over four years at M&S, he has had a transformative impact on the business, and we believe his vision, passion and wealth of expertise will be invaluable to Refined Networks in achieving our strategic objectives, and those of our brand partners, in the next phase of our growth.”