Marks & Spencer clothing supply chain boss to exit

Mowat’s departure from the department store chain comes after chief executive Steve Rowe took direct charge of the clothing business following supply problems that led to a lack of key stock.

A former Morrisons property director and chief operating officer of Jack Wills, Mowat will be succeeded on an interim basis by Stephen Fitzgerald, Rowe’s executive assistant, who will take on an expanded supply chain role.

His exit follows that of Jill McDonald, M&S’ former clothing supremo who was ousted in July. M&S finance director Humphrey Singer is also leaving, the retailer revealed at the weekend.

Marks & Spencer told staff about Mowat’s departure in an email today. The retailer said Mowat had enabled the business to start fixing basic supply chain problems, such as stabilising performance at its key Castle Donington distribution centre.

But as Rowe and chair Archie Norman battle to turn around M&S they are determined to bring greater urgency to the task.

Rowe told staff: “As I said when I began to oversee clothing and home in July, we need to move faster to address longstanding issues in the clothing and home supply chain around availability and flow of product.

“Given the critical nature of this task to trading and our transformation, this will be led by Stephen Fitzgerald on an interim basis as part of an expanded remit covering transformation, trading, supply chain and logistics.”

M&S has recently strengthened its clothing team with the appointments of two former Arcadia big hitters.

Former Burton head of design Karen Hall has joined as menswear head of design and former Topshop fashion director Maddy Evans is soon to take charge of M&S’ womenswear buying.