He will continue to have oversight of his current portfolio of responsibilities, which includes the leadership of the food business, plus its operations, property, store development and technology. He will also take on responsibility for HR and corporate communications and will join the board with effect from 25 May.
M&S has also revealed that Katie Bickerstaffe will become co-chief executive with a particular focus on driving the global omnichannel, digital & data future for the business. She will retain her existing portfolio including responsibility for Clothing & Home, MS2, International and Financial Services. She will also re-join the PLC board with effect from 25 May where she was previously a non-executive director.
Future development
Eoin Tonge becomes chief strategy & finance officer. In addition to his current responsibilities, he will play an enhanced role in leading the future development of the business.
M&S said it is now embarking on the second phase of its transformation programme, 'Shaping The Future'.
The board said its view is that under the current team, the business has made remarkable progress and that continuity of strategy and leadership is advantageous.
Strong leadership
Archie Norman, chairman, said: "The appointments we are making today bring together a very strong leadership team to take the business into the next stage of its transformation.
"Both Stuart and Katie are outstanding high impact leaders with very strong track records and experience of leading businesses through transformative change. With Eoin, they make a very powerful leadership team able to span the full breadth of our businesses.
"Given the very strong recent progress we have made, keeping up the pace and momentum is critical. We are delighted to have brought together three exceptional individuals who, with the support of the executive committee, will provide vision, energy and pace for this next phase."