M&S has appointed an Ikea executive as a new stores director

Ikea UK and Ireland country deputy retail manager Marsha Smith will join Marks & Spencer in September as stores director of the West division, Retail Week can reveal.

Smith has held her current post for almost three years. She has worked for Ikea in a variety of roles since 2004, including a spell in charge of Ikea’s Canadian business. She has also been involved in driving Ikea’s expansion to new markets and leading retail transformation programmes.

M&S operations director Sacha Berendji said: “I’m delighted Marsha will be joining M&S. Her strong operational and leadership skills will strengthen our retail team further and help deliver our ongoing transformation.”

Stores are at the heart of Marks & Spencer’s ongoing transformation, as the retailer renews its estate to have “bigger, better” branches that show off the retailer’s food and fashion credentials to best effect.

Earlier this year, M&S appointed former Morrisons retail operations boss Jayne Wall as director of central store operations.

Smith said: ”I’m thrilled to be joining the team at M&S – an incredible brand I’ve always felt a strong affinity for. I’m looking forward to leading the team to build on the impressive performance over the last few years and ensuring customers continue to be delighted by our fantastic offer.”

M&S’s West region covers England south of Manchester and west of Northampton, and includes West London. It comprises 192 stores and approximately 14,000 staff.