Marks & Spencer (M&S) has reinforced its international leadership team with three strategic appointments.
Manish Kapoor has been named Managing Director of M&S India, effective April 2025. A seasoned retail leader, Kapoor previously served as Managing Director and CEO of Pepe Jeans India. Before that, he was the Chief Operating Officer of French Connection India (2012–2014), where he successfully redefined its strategy and transformed it into a profitable menswear brand.
Earlier in his career, Kapoor played a pivotal role at Benetton, expanding its presence in South and Southeast Asia, launching its e-commerce arm in India, and driving growth of the Sisley brand. At M&S India, he will lead the company’s strategic initiatives and growth plans.
Victoria Jones has assumed the role of Commercial Director, International. Previously at Clarks, she spent three years spearheading global strategy across planning, assortment, trading, and delivery. At M&S, she will oversee product strategy for the international division across clothing and food.
Richard Davies has been promoted to International Partnerships Director from his role as Head of Category for Brands at M&S. Since joining the company in 2011 as a regional manager, Davies has held various leadership roles in clothing and home. In 2021, he launched M&S’s third-party brand strategy in the UK, growing it to over 100 partnerships. In his new role, he will unify the retailer’s franchise and wholesale models.
All three executives will report to Mark Lemming, the International Managing Director. Since his appointment last year, Lemming has been focused on revitalising M&S’s global operations following a period of underperformance. In the first half of the financial year, the retailer reported a 10.3% decline in constant currency sales in its international division, with operating profit before adjustments halving.
Commenting on the appointments, Lemming said: “The reset of our international business is focused on taking the right time and actions to build strong foundations for sustainable growth. Building an experienced global leadership team is an essential element of this plan, and Manish, Victoria, and Richard will play important roles, bringing fresh perspectives on our international reset and future growth strategy. As we continue to progress with our strategy, I remain confident in the medium- and long-term opportunity for M&S to drive global growth.”
Through these strategic appointments, M&S reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international operations and achieving sustained profitability. By leveraging its leadership team’s expertise, the retailer seeks to navigate market challenges, refine its business model, and capitalise on growth opportunities in key global markets.
