Fashion legend George Davies is to retire as part-time chairman of Marks & Spencer’s flagship Per Una business at the end of December.

Melanie Davies, George Davies’s daughter and Per Una business unit director, is also leaving.

Andrew Skinner, director of general merchandise planning, will additionally become trading director for Per Una and report to womenswear supremo Kate Bostock.

Helen Low, womenswear head of design for casualwear, will become product and design director for Per Una.

Marks & Spencer executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose said: “George has done a fantastic job in establishing Per Una and building it into a significant brand. We are immensely grateful to him for all he has done for M&S.”

Marks & Spencer also revealed other changes at its clothing division:

  • Annette Browne is promoted to trading director for women’s casualwear, Limited Collection and knitwear.

  • Bernadette Lusher is promoted to trading director for women’s formalwear, footwear and accessories

  • Julian Kilmartin, trading director for menswear, is leaving Marks & Spencer. He will be replaced by Richard Price, who is at present head of merchandising for womenswear.