Recovery campaign: Rightmove CFO Alison Dolan (pictured) has joined Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer appointed a new finance chief last night in another boost for the High Street chain.
Rightmove chief financial officer Alison Dolan said she was delighted to be part of the business’s shake-up as it moves forward with its recovery plan.
“I am delighted to be joining M&S, Stuart and the leadership team at such an exciting time for the business,” Dolan said. “As a customer who shops at Marks and Spencer, I have always loved the brand.”
“The scale and pace of change is significant and there are many great opportunities ahead,” he added.
Dolan will replace interim finance chief Jeremy Townsend in May next year after five years at the online estate agency.
His CV also includes jobs at The Times newspaper publisher, News UK and Sky.
Chief executive Stuart Machin said: “We are fortunate to attract someone of Alison’s caliber, who will be a fantastic addition to the leadership team and, with so much experience in fast-paced, digitally-led businesses, will help us in this next phase of transformation of M&S”. .’
After years of its fashion lines being derided as “disgusting”, the retailer has bolstered its credentials and managed to attract new, younger shoppers.
It’s also back in style, thanks to star-studded partnerships including actress Sienna Miller and Ted Lasso TV star Hannah Waddingham.
In the clearest sign yet that its revival plan is bearing fruit, last week the High Street stalwart said profits rose 58 per cent to £716m in the year to the end of March.
And Chief Machin declared that the company is in its “best financial health” in more than a quarter of a century.