M&S has strengthened its global leadership team with three new senior appointments as part of its reset and future growth plan, which includes plans to expand globally.
Manish Kapoor joins from Pepe Jeans as the new Managing Director for M&S India; Victoria Jones, formerly from Clarks, steps into the role as Commercial Director, International, and Richard Davies has been promoted to International Partnerships Director – he was previously Head of Category for Brands at M&S. Manish will join the M&S International leadership team in April where he will join Victoria and Richard who are already in the posts.
All three will report to Mark Lemming – Managing Director, International, who was appointed last year as M&S announced a reset of priorities for its international business under fresh leadership.
Mark’s remit is to reset the international part of the business by starting with new foundations for future growth through capital-light partnerships and a multi-platform online business with the long-term aim of increasing global reach.
Mark Lemming, Managing Director of M&S International commented: “The reset of our international business is focussed on taking the right time and actions to build strong foundations for sustainable growth. Building an experienced global leadership team is an essential element of this plan and Manish, Victoria and Richard will play important roles, bringing fresh perspectives on our international reset and future growth strategy”
Manish Kapoor was most recently Managing Director & CEO, India, at Pepe Jeans and brings a wealth of experience building global retail brands with deep understanding of Indian consumers. Before Pepe Jeans, Manish was Chief Operating Officer at French Connection in India from 2012-2014, where he reset their strategy, turning it into a profitable menswear brand. His tenure at Benetton, starting in 2005, saw him grow the India business and expand the brand’s footprint in South and Southeast Asia. He also launched Benetton’s e-commerce vertical in India and played a pivotal role in scaling Sisley’s business in India. At M&S, Manish will have accountability for driving the strategic plans forward in India.
Victoria Jones joins M&S from Clarks where she has spent the last three years leading the global strategy for end-to-end planning, assortment, trading and delivery. Victoria will have accountability for the product strategy of the international business across both Clothing and Food, ensuring the right product is available for customers, in the right place, at the right time, leveraging the best of the UK.
Richard Davies joined M&S in 2011 as a Regional Manager for the Southeast, before moving to the Support Centre where he worked across a number of roles within Clothing & Home. In 2021, Richard was appointed Head of Category for ‘Brands at M&S’, building the UK third-party brand strategy from scratch which today has over 100 partners. He joins as Partnerships Director to unite the Franchise and Wholesale selling models under one umbrella.
