Lepley, also a former vice-president of Asda’s online grocery business and project manager for former Asda chief executive Andy Clarke, will join M&S in the next few months.

He will report to M&S retail, operations and property director Sacha Berendji and is expected to play a pivotal role in improving store operations and, in particular, ensuring ‘the voice of the stores’ is heard as chief executive Steve Rowe battles to turn around its fortunes.