Upmarket UK-based retail group Marks & Spencer has confirmed the appointment of Morrisons' former business development director Christopher Taylor as head of Simply Food, its food-only banner.
Set to start work on 3 May, Mr Taylor succeeds Neil Hyslop, who has been named as the new director of space planning and management at M&S.
The appointment represents the third major appointment for M&S in as many months, after Jan Heere joined to head up international operations and former Tesco executive Laura Wade-Gery joined to lead its online business.
'We're delighted to confirm that Christopher Taylor is joining M&S as director of Simply Food, franchise and hospitality,' the company said in a statement.
Food sales at M&S showed 'consistent improvement' and increased market share during the fourth quarter of the financial year, according to a trading statement released on Wednesday.
Food sales in the UK were up 4.9 per cent, outstripping non-food, which fell by 3.9 per cent.
'Our quality continues to set us apart,' commented group chief execuitve Marc Bolland. 'We have seen a strong improvement in sales of our healthy food.'
Looking ahead to the next financial year, M&S said its gross margin was likely to be 0-25 basis points higher than last year and operating costs would increase by some 5 per cent.
The company is planning to open new store space that will extend its square footage by 2 per cent in the UK and 10 per cent overseas as it positions itself as a multi-channel international retailer.
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