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Marks & Spencer senior director extends maternity leave Marks & Spencer senior director extends maternity leave
(35 minutes later)
One of Marks & Spencer’s most senior directors has extended her maternity leave by eight months having previously stated she would return to the business in early January.One of Marks & Spencer’s most senior directors has extended her maternity leave by eight months having previously stated she would return to the business in early January.
The retailer said on Wednesday that Laura Wade-Gery, executive director, multichannel, will now return to the firm on 1 September, taking her full one-year entitlement to maternity leave.The retailer said on Wednesday that Laura Wade-Gery, executive director, multichannel, will now return to the firm on 1 September, taking her full one-year entitlement to maternity leave.
Related: Marks & Spencer resignation renews speculation about who will be next CEO
M&S initially informed the stock market of Wade-Gery’s impending absence in August.M&S initially informed the stock market of Wade-Gery’s impending absence in August.
Until her return, finance chief Helen Weir will maintain responsibility for e-commerce distribution, while Sacha Berendji, director of retail, and David Walmsley, director of M&S.com, will continue to report to the chief executive, Marc Bolland. Until her return, Helen Weir, the firm’s chief financial officer, will maintain responsibility for e-commerce distribution, while Sacha Berendji, director of retail, and David Walmsley, director of M&S.com, will continue to report to the chief executive, Marc Bolland.
Wade-Gery has been tipped in the past by some as a possible successor to Bolland, although her star waned somewhat last year when M&S’s new online platform got off to a shaky start.Wade-Gery has been tipped in the past by some as a possible successor to Bolland, although her star waned somewhat last year when M&S’s new online platform got off to a shaky start.
Shares in M&S have fallen 12% over the past month on Christmas trading concerns. Shares in M&S have fallen 12% over the past month due to Christmas trading concerns. A second poor Christmas in a row is expected to put Bolland’s position in question after five years in the job.
A second poor Christmas in a row is expected to put Bolland’s position in question after five years in the job.
M&S is due to publish a third-quarter trading update on 7 January.M&S is due to publish a third-quarter trading update on 7 January.