Marks & Spencer has appointed hired Victoria’s Secret chief creative officer Janie Shaffer to be its director of lingerie and beauty.

Shaffer, who was responsible for all clothing, lingerie and beauty products at the US gaint, joins M&S early next year. She previously launched Knickerbox.

Shaffer replaces Frances Russell in the post. Russell has been promoted to director of womenswear after four years at M&S, while former womenswear trading director Annette Browne has stepped down with immediate effect.

Russell and Shaffer will work under in the general merchandise team under John Dixon,

M&S general merchandise boss, executive director John Dixon, said: “Since joining the general merchandise team in October, one of my priorities has been ensuring that we have the right leadership team and right structure to take us forward.

“I am delighted to complete the team with the promotion of Frances and the appointment of Janie. We are now all absolutely focused on delivering the right product for our customers.”

According to M&S, the new structure “realigns responsibilities, ensures greater accountability by creating four larger trading departments, and strengthens and improves the team”.

Chief executive Marc Bolland said: “We have been able to establish a team that combines the best of M&S experience with exciting, new, external talent. Their impact will start to come through when we launch our Autumn/Winter collections in July next year.”

The latest appointments follow the arrival of Belinda Earl as style director in September. Stephanie Chen is now running the kids and home team and Scott Fyfe takes up the new role as director of menswear in December.