M&S bolsters non-exec team with two new appointments

Ingram will join the department store’s non-executive board from advertising titan WPP, where she has held a range of leadership roles since 2002 including setting up the group’s consumer insights division. Prior to her time at WPP Ingram was at Saatchi & Saatchi, where she held the roles of chief executive and chair.

Sapna joins M&S’ board from food and beverage group Compass, where she has acted as director of international clients and market development since 2018. Sapna has also held a non-executive role at Kering for four years, during which time she has chaired the group’s sustainability committee.

Both Sapna and Ingram are due to join Marks & Spencer’s non-executive board on May 21.

Their appointments are unveiled as former non-executive director Katie Bickerstaffe takes up her role as chief strategy and transformation director. Her appointment comes as M&S said it plans to accelerate its transformation plans amid the coronavirus pandemic as part of its ‘never the same again’ programme.

The retailer’s incoming chief financial officer Eoin Tonge is set to take up his new role on June 8.

M&S chair Archie Norman said: “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 will bring in fresh and diverse talent and two exceptionally smart new people.”