Laura Wade-Gery, M&S’ head of multichannel, will be stepping down from her role after a year of maternity leave.

Ms Wade-Gery joined M&S from Tesco in 2011, tasked with improving the retailer’s multichannel operations, but a revamp of the company’s website under her guidance failed to deliver results straight away. Ms Wade-Gery was due to return to the company four months after she went on maternity leave but last Christmas the retailer announced that she would be extending it to September 2016.

Commenting on the announcement, Robert Swannell, chairman of Marks and Spencer Group plc, said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Laura very much for the significant contribution she has made in her five years at M&S.  Laura has been a valued member of the Board and instrumental in the improvement and modernisation of our ecommerce and multi-channel capabilities. We wish her all the very best for the future."
Steve Rowe, chief executive, said: "Laura has been a great colleague and has achieved much in her role heading our multi-channel business.  I am grateful to Laura for her contribution and she leaves M&S with my personal thanks and best wishes."

Ms Wade-Gery added: “I have had five very happy years at M&S. I’ve been away from the business for a year now, and that time has seen some significant changes in both my personal life and in the business. I concluded that the time was right to move on from M&S. I wish Steve and all my colleagues and friends every success”.

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