Leadership Transition

Marks & Spencer Group PLC
08 July 2003



Issued: 8 July 2003



MARKS & SPENCER LEADERSHIP TRANSITION COMPLETED



In July last year, Marks & Spencer announced that as of 1 September 2002, Luc
Vandevelde was reverting to his original position as full-time Chairman of Marks
and Spencer Group plc and that Roger Holmes was appointed as Chief Executive.
Subsequently, Luc moved to a part-time basis in January of this year.



With Roger Holmes now firmly established as Chief Executive, the Board has
decided it is appropriate to complete the leadership transition.  Effective from
1 September 2003, Luc Vandevelde will focus on Chairing the Board and the
Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, and he will also sit on the
Nomination Committee. He will be stepping down as Chairman of Marks & Spencer
Financial Services and this role will be taken up by Roger Holmes*.



At the same time, Luc will move to a new remuneration package, which will
totally align his compensation with the interests of shareholders.   His reward
from September 2003, will be in the form of shares to be paid on the basis of
13,500 shares per calendar month.  He will no longer be eligible for a bonus or
pension contributions and he ceased to be eligible for share options or the
Share Matching Plan in September 2002.



Luc Vandevelde, Chairman said:  'It is testimony to Roger's leadership and to
the team in place at Marks & Spencer, that the time has come for me to step into
a more traditional role of a Chairman.   It is also a vote of confidence in the
team and in the plans for the Company, that in future my remuneration is closely
tied to the value which we create for our shareholders and is reflected in the
share price.'

                                      ENDS

*Subject to normal regulatory procedures

For further information, please contact:



Sue Sadler/

Lisa Attenborough     Corporate Press Office          020 7268 8642/6166



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