The British retail group Marks and Spencer Group plc has announced an important personnel decision. On Monday, the company announced that Alex Freudmann had been appointed managing director of the food division M&S Food. Freudmann, who currently heads Australian beverage chain Dan Murphy’s, will take up his new post on November 1 and then also join the group’s Executive Committee, M&S said in a statement.
Freudmann’s appointment was part of the “planned succession plan” for Stuart Machin, the retailer explained. Machin, who has successfully run the grocery business for years, was appointed CEO of the entire group on May 25. He can now hand over responsibility for M&S Food to the newcomer in a few months.
Machin has high hopes for his designated successor at the head of the food division: “Alex will bring a lot of experience and passion to our company,” said the CEO in a statement. “He has worked in the food industry for almost two decades and in all his previous roles he has implemented change with brains, speed and energy. He will be a great addition to our leadership team as we work together on the next phase of our transformation.”