Waitrose's Steve Esom confirmed as food director
High street giant Marks & Spencer has unveiled a major reshuffle of its senior management, following confirmation that former Waitrose managing director Steven Esom is to join the retailer as director of food on June 1.

Carl Leaver, previously chief executive of hotel chain De Vere Group, is to join M&S as director of international business on May 14. He will be accountable to chief executive Stuart Rose, who is adding international to his direct report responsibilities. Esom will be starting on June 1. Leaver and Esom will both join the retailer's executive committee.

There is speculation that Rose is ramping up his efforts to find a successor before his planned departure date in less than two years. However, a spokeswoman said the change was about strengthening the management team overall, to take the business into its next phase of growth.

Existing director of international business Richard Wolff will be retiring after 36 years with the company.

M&S director of food Guy Farrant has been appointed director of retail and outlets. Director of retail Anthony Thompson is leaving the company.

Womenswear and girlswear director Kate Bostock will take on the additional responsibility for lingerie. Lingerie director Matt Hudson will report to her as director of trading for womenswear, lingerie and girlswear.

The retailer also unveiled three new director roles in its food division, who will report to the director of food. Dominic Morrey has been promoted to the role of commercial director of market, grocery and events, Jim Waller becomes commercial director of prepared and hospitality, and David Gregory has been promoted to technical director.

Chief executive Stuart Rose will continue to manage the trading functions of the business. With the store modernisation programme under way, Ian Dyson will be responsible for store design, development and procurement, alongside his existing responsibilities for finance, property and IT.

Rose said: 'I am delighted that Steven Esom and Carl Leaver are joining M&S. They will bring new skills and experience to the team. I would like to congratulate Kate Bostock, Guy Farrant, Matt Hudson and the food directors on their appointments. I would also like to thank Anthony Thompson and Richard Wolff for their contributions to the company.

'We are bringing new talent into M&S to work alongside our existing senior team in order to drive the business through its next stage of growth.'

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