British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced three senior appointments to its global leadership team as it seeks to reset its international business and bolster its future growth plans.
The retailer has recruited Pepe Jeans managing director and CEO for India operations Manish Kapoor to lead its India business as managing director from April 2025.
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Before joining Pepe Jeans, Kapoor served as chief operating officer at French Connection in India from 2012 to 2014, where he reset the company’s strategy, transforming it into a “profitable menswear brand.
Victoria Jones, who is joining M&S from Clarks, has stepped into the role of international commercial director.
At Clarks, Jones led global strategy for end-to-end planning, trading, assortment and delivery for three years.
In her new role, she will oversee M&S product strategy for clothing and food.
Her main focus is to ensure that the right products are available for customers, in the right place, at the right time, while leveraging the strengths of the UK market.
Richard Davies has been promoted from his former role as the head of the M&S brands category to international partnerships director.
Davies began his career at M&S in 2011 as a regional manager for the UK’s southeast. He later transitioned to the Support Centre, where he held various roles within the Clothing & Home department.
In 2021, he was promoted to head of category for brands at M&S, where he developed the UK third-party brand strategy, leading to partnerships with more than 100 brands.
He will now be responsible for the integration of the franchise and wholesale selling models into one cohesive strategy.
All the three new hires will report to M&S international managing director Mark Lemming, who took on the role in 2024 and has announced a reset of priorities for its international business.
Lemming’s focus is on resetting the international business by establishing solid foundations for growth through “capital light partnerships” and an online platform.
This reset will allow M&S to utilise its UK business expertise and brand reputation to expand its global presence.
Lemming stated: “The reset of our international business is focussed on taking the right time and actions to build strong foundations for sustainable growth.
“Building an experienced global leadership team is an essential element of this plan and Manish, Victoria and Richard will play important roles, bringing fresh perspectives on our International reset and future growth strategy.
“As we continue to progress with our strategy, I remain confident in the medium and long term opportunity for M&S to drive global growth.”
In November 2024, M&S broadened its Beauty Takeback Scheme in partnership with HANDLE, increasing the number of participating stores from 40 to 100 across the UK.
