Bickerstaffe who was appointed to the role of co-CEO at M&S alongside CEO Stuart Machin in March 2022 had previously been in the role of Co-COO and non-executive director. She joined M&S in 2018.

Having helped see through that leadership change, the strengthening of the management team and a marked improvement in the performance of the business, Bickerstaffe will move on to take other board roles in line with the original transition plan, M&S said in its update.

“I’m very grateful to Katie for her support in seeing M&S through this important period in the reshaping of the business. We now have a much stronger business, and she will move on with our very best wishes,” commented Machin, CEO.

Bickerstaffe said: “I took on the Co-CEO role to support Stuart as he succeeded to CEO and because of my love for the brand and my determination to see the transformation of M&S through to the next stage. We have built a strong team, made great progress, and it is now right that the business and function heads report directly to Stuart. I will leave with great memories and a strong sense of achievement.”

Last week M&S announced an £89m ($112.4m) investment in pay, and family leave policies increasing its hourly rate to £12.

Machin said at the time of the pay rise announcement: “Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer – and that starts with being the most trusted employer.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“Since March 2022, we’ve invested more than £146m in our retail pay offer and increased our standard hourly rate by more than 26%. But creating a great place to work isn’t just about pay; it’s about the overall package and colleagues feeling valued and able to be their best.”

Just Style Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Style Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving apparel and textile industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now