Marks and Spencer womenswear chief given boot

LONDON (ShareCast) - (ShareCast News) - Marks & Spencer (Other OTC: MAKSF - news) 's well-regarded head of womenswear, Frances Russell, has reportedly been pushed out of the embattled department, weeks after the sudden departure of merchandise chief John Dixon. Steve Rowe, the new general merchandise director, made an announcement to staff late on Monday, according to reports.

Rowe was switched over from M&S's burgeoning food division after Dixon quit with immediate effect last month, to the despair of some analysts.

He was said to be looking to create a "nimbler" division "focused on women" by bringing the womenswear, lingerie and beauty businesses together under the current head of lingerie and beauty Jo Jenkins, according to sources cited by the Financial Times.

M&S said: "We are pleased to promote Jo Jenkins into the expanded role of director of womenswear, lingerie and beauty. She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) has a wealth of experience, with excellent product knowledge and great customer understanding. Frances Russell has left the business. We'd like to thank her for her significant contribution to M&S and wish her all the best for the future." Independent retail analyst Nick Bubb said Russell was well-regarded and her departure was "disappointing, but understandable in the context of office politics".

"If you were a sharp-elbowed and ambitious Steve Rowe, three weeks into the job of M&S General Merchandise supremo, after the sudden departure of John Dixon, then why not get rid of one your biggest rivals - who was evidently unhappy at being overlooked for your job - and install an apparent acolyte, Jo Jenkins, as your No 2?"