M&S recruits John Lyttle as clothing MD amid leadership reshuffle
He takes over the role with extensive retail and transformation experience, having spent five years at Boohoo and nine years at Primark as chief operations officer
M&S has announced that John Lyttle, the former CEO of Boohoo, will be joining as managing director of clothing, home and beauty on 3 March.
The news comes as the retailer’s current MD of clothing, home and beauty, Richard Price, who has held the role since 2020, will be leaving to pursue a portfolio career following a handover period.
Lyttle will spend his first month in stores and supply chain, and will then have a month-long handover with Price who is due to leave M&S on 30 April.
He takes over the role with extensive retail and transformation experience, having spent five years at Boohoo and nine years at Primark as chief operations officer.
In addition, current director of womenswear, Maddy Evans, will take on a broader role that will include lingerie to become director of M&S woman. Meanwhile, director of lingerie Charlotte Davies will report directly to Evans, having recently joined from Hunkemöller where she was Chief Product Officer.
David Brittain will also be joining M&S as director of home and beauty at the end of April from Amazon where he is currently business development director of Amazon Fashion, Europe. It follows Heidi Woodhouse’s decision to leave M&S after a handover period with Brittain.
Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, said: “Thanks to Richard’s leadership, the clothing, home and beauty business is now on a much stronger footing with improved products. Style perceptions have increased consistently and our lead on quality and value has extended, driving growth in sales and market share. Richard leaves the business as a long-standing friend of M&S and we wish him the very best.
“That said, there remains much to do and so much opportunity in this next phase of our plan to reshape M&S for future growth. Changes underway to embed strategic sourcing partnerships, a modern planning platform and an efficient logistics network are nascent and there is lots to do to develop a truly omnichannel clothing, home and beauty business.”
He added: I am confident that this team will bring the fresh perspective, energy and drive required to up the pace and scale of change in this next phase of transformation across M&S’s clothing, home and beauty business.”
Price said: “I am proud to have helped rebuild the M&S clothing, home and beauty business and led a team which has transformed product, grown sales and market share and, most importantly, confidence. I feel now is the right time for me to step away from full-time executive life and I am pleased to be handing the baton to John.”
Lyttle said: “M&S is somewhere I have always wanted to work, and it is a real privilege to join the clothing, home and beauty business at a time when there is both so much momentum and opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”
