Executive director, clothing
Marks & Spencer

Bostock’s influence in the world of fashion remains strong - Sir Stuart Rose said she runs “the biggest buying job in the UK”.

Projects in the past year include the retailer’s collaboration with Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field, as well as the launch of the Essentials range.

But even Bostock herself admitted in an interview last year that the timing of the Essentials launch with the recession was more a case of good luck than good management.
Having joined as part of Rose’s turnaround team four years ago, she has reinvented the fashion offer at Marks & Spencer, but could she do the top job? Many have their doubts.