Marks & Spencer's business lead for brands to depart after one year

Marks & Spencer has confirmed the departure of business lead for third-party brands, Sarah Savva, after one year in the role.

Savva joined M&S in July 2020, on a fixed term basis to support the launch of external brands to the business for the first time, which has now reached a total of 21.

Last year M&S signed its first third-party fashion partnership with Nobody's Child and began selling the ethical fashion label online. It has since collaborated with Ghost and acquired the Jaeger brand.

M&S's Director of Transformation and New Business Development, Neil Harrison, will now begin growing the third-party brands team - with new employees, including merchandisers and buyers, joining the business over the coming weeks.

In terms of leadership within the team Richard Davies, Head of Trading in Menswear, has been appointed as Head of Category for Brands, meaning buying & merchandise teams will sit under him. Davies is expected to bring significant commercial and trading experience from his time in stores, retail operations, space, merchandising and trading to his new role.

An M&S spokesperson told TheIndustry.fashion: "As part of our Never the Same Again programme we're adapting our clothing business to be more relevant, more often to customers, including introducing exciting partner brands to turbocharge online growth.

"Over the past year Sarah has brought extensive experience to help us set up Brands at M&S and we wish her all the best in her next role. We’re pleased to be growing our third party brands team including the appointment of Richard Davies to head up our brand buying & merch team."