Marks & Spencer chief executive Stuart Rose has overhauled internal structure at the retail group in a bid to boost efficiencies.

The number of top regional executives at M&S has been cut from nine to five, and Rose has reorganised the stores along geographic lines.

The changes have been implemented by retail director Guy Farrant, and are reportedly designed to simplify communication at the most senior levels. They follow a senior management reshuffle in the spring.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that two of the nine divisional executives affected by the changes are leaving M&S. Peter Brigden is to join Wyevale Garden Centres, while Allan Molloy will join budget clothing retailer Primark.

Under the old system, executives looked after specific store types in a large geographical region, such as the north of England. Under the new regime, they will oversee all store types in their given areas.

Sources close to M&S told The Sunday Telegraph that the changes are at such a high level, they will not disrupt the day-to-day running of M&S in the run-up to Christmas.

“This is about changing the way M&S does things,” said an executive close to the retailer. M&S has undergone a raft of changes at senior level in recent months.

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