Barbara Cassani, the former head of low-cost airline Go, has been appointed to the board of Marks & Spencer.
Cassani will join the firm on October 1 as non-executive director, the retailer said.
M&S chairman Luc Vandevelde said: "She has an impressive track record in one of the toughest industries in the world, with experience of both start-up and established businesses."
Cassani was winner of last year's Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the year and was recently named chairman of London 2012, the bid to bring the Olympics to the UK capital.
She said of her new job: "I look forward to encouraging new ideas that will strengthen connections with the customers."
Cassani was appointed to run no-frills airline Go in 1997. Three years after its formation Ms Cassani led a £110m management buyout of Go from BA. The airline was sold to Easyjet last year for £374m, netting her a reported £16m.
M&S will doubtless be looking for a similar level of inspiration from the American.
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