M&S chairman Robert Swannell has revealed he will retire next year. Retail Week looks at who could replace him at the helm of the troubled retailer.

Archie Norman

A legendary retail leader whose name is synonymous with the turnaround of Asda, Norman’s qualities would be a boon to M&S.

Archie Norman

A legendary retail leader whose name is synonymous with the turnaround of Asda, Norman’s qualities would be a boon to M&S.

A legendary retail leader whose name is synonymous with the turnaround of Asda, Norman’s qualities would be a boon to M&S.

His razor-sharp mind, combined with his deep understanding of the difference that company culture can make to business performance, mean he would be able both to challenge and support the executive team.

At present Norman is an adviser and coach to directors at Coles-owner Wesfarmers – a dual role that epitomises some of this strengths.

He was in the running for the Tesco chairmanship, chairs private equity-backed specialist retailer Hobbycraft, and formerly chaired ITV.

Barracuda Search managing partner Justin Linger says: “No one has a track record like him. He’d be an iconic chairman for an iconic brand.”

Fran Minogue, managing partner of Clarity Search, agrees. “He’s just what they need. The role has to be filled by a retailer this time.”

Robert Walker

Now chairman of Wickes-owner Travis Perkins and pubs firm Enterprise Inns, Walker would bring experience from some of the best-known names in business.

They include WHSmith, which he joined as chairman as Kate Swann led a highly successful turnaround – experience likely to prove valuable as M&S chief executive Steve Rowe bids to turn around retail’s most venerable institution.

Walker would also bring expertise gained at FMCG giants Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, businesses well-known for their ability to understand the consumer and build brands.

Time spent at consultancy McKinsey is indicative of his keen intelligence.

 

Justin King

Former Sainsbury’s boss King is tipped for the M&S top job.

Justin King

Source: Peter Searle

Former Sainsbury’s boss King is tipped for the M&S top job.

Former Sainsbury’s boss King is no stranger to turnarounds and could be high on Marks & Spencer’s hit list for the chairmanship as the retailer bids to transform its fortunes.

Sainsbury’s was on a downward spiral when King took the helm in March 2004, but his ‘Making Sainsbury’s Great Again’ recovery plan bore fruit, restoring the grocer’s sales and reputation.

King, who has become vice chairman of private equity house Terra Firma since leaving the supermarket giant in 2014, has past experience at M&S, having previously served as its director of food.

Moira Benigson, managing partner of executive search firm the MBS Group, believes the time could be right for King to return.

“M&S has got to go for a retailer – someone that really understands turnarounds,” she tells Retail Week.

“Justin understands M&S, he understands food and general merchandise, he understands what it’s like to work for a FTSE company and he’s very good with the City. He’s got everything.”

Richard Baker

Current BRC chairman Richard Baker is another name in the frame.

Baker is one of the UK’s most experienced and respected retailers. He was chief executive of Boots – and helped sell it to Stefano Pessina and KKR in 2007 – and prior to that was chief operating officer of Asda.

Since leaving Boots he has become one of the key players in the private equity world, working with Advent International and chairing its investment DFS, which he helped float last year.

Minogue says that M&S could benefit from having a “younger, energetic” chairman like Baker.

“His track record speaks for itself. He would drive real change,” he says.

Baker stands down as chairman of DFS in the spring. However, he also chairs Premier Inn and Costa Coffee-owner Whitbread and Nectar-owner Groupe Aeroplan, so might have to slim down his portfolio if he were to take the M&S job.

Kate Swann

Could former WH Smith boss Kate Swann could help M&S reconnect with the female shopper?

Kate Swann

Source: UPPA/Photoshot

Could former WH Smith boss Kate Swann could help M&S reconnect with the female shopper?

Another retailer who is no stranger to a turnaround is former WHSmith boss Swann.

Much has been made of M&S’s need to reconnect to its core female customer base and having a woman as chair could perhaps help it achieve that aim.

Swann, who is currently chief executive of travel retail franchisee SSP, is the sort of experienced character who would thrive in the role and could be tempted by a return to a mainstream retailer.

Her glittering CV boasts spells at Tesco as a graduate trainee in 1989 and Homebase, where she ultimately became managing director.

Swann later held the same role at Argos before taking the helm at WHSmith in 2003, where she grew profits during her decade in charge.

Sir Keith Mills

Marketing supremo Mills is another candidate for the M&S chairman role.

Mills’ name is synonymous with loyalty cards – he invented Air Miles and the Nectar Card.

Building loyalty with ‘Mrs M&S’ is high up on Marks & Spencer’s agenda.

It even launched its own loyalty card, Sparks, last year.

Mills expertise in this field could prove vital.

Mills’ success goes beyond business.

He was international president and chief executive of London 2012, the company that was established to bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

He, alongside Lord Coe, led the team that secured London the Games and was deputy chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A good choice to help M&S go for retail gold.

Sir Charles Dunstone

Charles Dunstone is a left field choice

Charles Dunstone

Charles Dunstone is a left-field choice

Carphone Warehouse founder Dunstone may be a left-field choice for the M&S job as he chairs both Dixons Carphone and Talk Talk, however, one headhunter believes he would be an excellent choice.

Dunstone is one of the most entrepreneurial retailers in the UK.

He set up Carphone Warehouse by selling mobile phones out of his flat and built it into a billion pound plus business, which he has since merged with Dixons creating an electricals powerhouse.

He should know M&S well, given that good pal Sir Stuart Rose once led the business.

However, could he be tempted away from his beloved Carphone? It seems a long shot, but watch this space.