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Jill McDonald will take up her new role with M&S in autumn

M&S has appointed Halfords CEO Jill McDonald as its new managing director of clothing, home and beauty.

McDonald, who has previously held senior positions as McDonald’s and British Airways, will join M&S in the autumn.

In her role, McDonald will have overall profit and loss accountability for all aspects of the M&S non-food business, from design and sourcing through to supply chain and logistics. She will report directly to CEO Steve Rowe and join the M&S operating committee.

M&S has also revealed a change of responsibility for Rowe, who will relinquish his clothing, home & beauty accountabilities to McDonald to concentrate on general management of the business, which is growing its food division. Chief financial officer Helen Weir will also hand over responsibility to McDonald for the clothing, home & beauty supply chain and logistics.

Director of womenswear, lingerie & beauty Jo Jenkins will move to the new role of clothing & beauty director, reporting into McDonald, and with expanded accountabilities for all clothing across womenswear, menswear and kidswear.

Rowe said: “I am pleased with the progress we have made in clothing and home over the last year and the time is now right for this appointment.

“Jill is an excellent addition to the M&S senior leadership team and we are delighted that she is joining us. Jill’s first-class customer knowledge and great experience in running dynamic, high achieving teams make her exactly the right person to lead this all-important part of our business from recovery and into growth.”

McDonald added: “M&S has a unique, special relationship with its customers and I am very motivated by working closely with customers to drive and shape results.

“I have long been an M&S customer and professional fan, so working with the brand was a career opportunity that I just couldn’t turn down.”