M&S names key fashion, home and beauty exec from Primark

M&S has a new commercial and operations director for fashion, home and beauty as the retail giant undergoes a “comprehensive restructuring” of its end-to-end operation. 

Jon Rolls joins from Primark where his “deep expertise” in trading, operational efficiency, and large-scale transformations will be key for a new job that includes identifying commercial opportunities and improving operational efficiency across the supply chain.

The appointment marks Rolls’ return to M&S where he began his career as part of its graduate scheme. He later moved to New Look in 2006 where he served as head of Merchandising.

In 2011, he joined Primark, undertaking a series of senior merchandising roles. In 2019, he was appointed group director of Planning and Space, joining the retailer’s executive team.

M&S said the Rolls’ appointment “marks a significant step” in the ongoing transformation of M&S’s Fashion, Home & Beauty division.

He will report the department’s managing director John Lyttle (also ex-Primark) and will “lead the cross-business unit commercial planning, oversee the Outlets division, and drive the modernisation of systems across merchandising, forecasting, and range planning — enhancing collaboration between internal teams and supply partners”.

M&S is currently in the early stages of that “comprehensive restructuring” for its Fashion, Home & Beauty division. Key priorities include the rollout of a new merchandise and range management system, increased automation across the logistics network to support online growth, and strengthening the resilience and flexibility of the supply base.

Lyttle said his “experience in driving operational change and commercial growth in fast-paced retail environments will be invaluable as we reshape our supply chain for growth and build a more agile, customer-focused business.”