Marks & Spencer property director Clem Constantine has assumed responsibility for the retailer’s international division.

An internal announcement about the change was made yesterday and Constantine assumes the role with immediate effect.

A spokeswoman said that Constantine had proved successful in expanding Marks & Spencer in the UK since he joined in February 2006 and that the addition of the international division was an indication of the retailer’s current focus on expansion overseas. In its first quarter trading update earlier this week, the retailer revealed that sales in its international division had risen 15.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to June 27.

Constantine replaces Carl Leaver who left M&S unexpectedly in May.

Prior to joining M&S, Constantine was group property and retail planning director at Arcadia.