Morrisons’ departing chief operating officer Trevor Strain is a leading contender to take on an executive role at Marks & Spencer, Retail Week has learned.
Strain is believed to be in the frame to succeed Eoin Tonge, Marks & Spencer’s group chief financial officer and chief strategy officer.
Strain is credited alongside Morrisons’ chief executive David Potts with reviving the grocer’s fortunes before its £7bn sale to private equity group CD&R. He revealed earlier this week that he was leaving the business.
He said: “If I am to take on a new challenge for the next few years then it would be better to make that change at the start of the Morrisons’ journey in private equity, and not in the middle of it.”
Retail Week understands that Strain is among a number of candidates for Tonge’s role, although no decision has yet been made by M&S.
His combination of financial expertise and operational experience was said by industry sources to make him a strong contender.
Strain previously worked for retail giant Tesco and his knowledge of the food industry would be valued at M&S, which has revived its grocery operations under Stuart Machin – now M&S chief executive – amid a tough and inflationary grocery landscape. It is also rebuilding its fashion credentials after adopting a digital-first strategy.
Tonge revealed in July that he would be leaving M&S to join Primark owner Associated British Foods. He is replacing veteran incumbent John Bason as the group’s finance director.
Tonge joined M&S in 2020 and earlier this year took on strategy responsibilities as part of a New Look leadership team – alongside Machin and co-chief executive Katie Bickerstaffe – following the departure of former boss Steve Rowe.
Marks & Spencer declined to comment on whether Strain would be joining the business.
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