M&S says its clothing boss Jill McDonald is leaving the business, declaring the transformation of its fashion fortunes must “move on at pace”.
The development was confirmed less than 24 hours after a report by Sky News that her departure was likely.
The company stopped short of saying that Ms McDonald had been forced out but it is understood there was no inclination she wished to leave – almost two years since her appointment.
The decision to hire her raised eyebrows at the time as she had no previous fashion experience.
M&S poached her from Halfords – where she was chief executive following a spell in charge at McDonald’s UK.