Directorate Change

RNS Number : 1322C

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

13 October 2015

 



Issued:  13 October 2015

Marks and Spencer Group PLC ANNOUNCES BOARD CHANGES

Marks and Spencer Group plc ("M&S") today announces the appointment of Andrew Fisher to its Board as a Non-Executive Director. He will take up his appointment on 1 December 2015 and will also join the Nomination Committee at that time.

Andrew is currently Chairman of Shazam, one of the world's top 20 apps that helps people recognise and engage with the world around them. He joined Shazam in 2005 as Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Shazam has grown into a global mobile service with over 750 million users across 200 countries.  Andrew will bring strong digital services, consumer insight and international experience to the M&S Board.  Andrew is also a Non-Executive Director of MoneySupermarket Group plc where he sits on the Risk and Nomination Committees and Chairs the Remuneration Committee. He is also a member of the Advisory Board to the Secretary of State for the current review of the BBC Charter.

After nearly nine years on the M&S Board, and having participated as a member of Audit and Nomination Committees in that time, Martha Lane Fox will step down from the Board at the financial year end on 2 April 2016.  

Commenting on the changes, Robert Swannell, Chairman of Marks & Spencer said: "We are delighted to welcome Andrew Fisher to the Board of M&S.  He has a proven track record in a fast growing and global digital business and will bring a wealth of relevant technology-focused, consumer experience."

"We are delighted that Martha will be with us until the end of this financial year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her truly outstanding contribution to the M&S Board.  She has made a real difference on so many key issues across our business way beyond her strong digital background, from culture to Plan A and many other matters, with the perspective and energy that only a true entrepreneur can bring".

Andrew Fisher said: "I am looking forward to joining the Board of M&S and contributing to the continuing development of this great brand."  

Martha Lane Fox says: "I have been proud to be part of this fantastic business and to have played a part in shaping this iconic brand for its future".

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For more information, please call:

M&S Corporate PR                          0208 718 1919        

Notes to Editors:

Andrew joined Shazam as Chief Executive Officer in 2005 and became Executive Chairman in 2013. The company is best known as a mobile app that helps people discover and purchase music through it's pioneering audio recognition technology. Today Shazam has grown into a comprehensive service that magically connects people to their world through television shows, advertising, cinema, radio and retail environments with innovative technologies such as audio recognition, visual recognition and beaconing. Shazam has over 750 million users across 200 countries.

During his tenure at Shazam Andrew has been instrumental in developing and executing a growth strategy to establish one of the world's leading mobile consumer brands. He restructured the company, and diversified the business's Focus from the music market into television, radio and cinema advertising as well as in-store promotion. Under his leadership since 2005, the enterprise value of the company has increased from $2m to $1bn.

Over the past 15 years, Andrew has led the successful growth of a number of technology focused enterprises. Prior to joining Shazam, Andrew was European Managing Director at InfoSpace Inc where he led the company's significant European growth focusing on media and commerce services for many leading mobile operators and online service providers. 

In addition, Andrew founded and was Managing Director of TDLI.com which was acquired by InfoSpace Inc and was General Manager, Business Ventures of Thomson Directories.

Andrew is a Non-Executive Director of the MoneySupermarket.com Group plc, joining the board in July 2014. He is a member of the Nominations and Risk Committees and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Andrew is also an Advisor to the Secretary of State for the current review of the BBC Charter.

 

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