Radice turns to clothes at M&S

VITTORIO Radice has been given the task of turning round Marks & Spencer's troubled clothing operations, in addition to his existing role as head of homewares and the stores revamp programme.

The former Selfridges chief was today named as head of general merchandise, an appointment chief executive Roger Holmes described as 'absolutely the right choice at the right time'.

He continued: 'Vittorio is acknowledged as an outstanding retailer with an ability to be bold and to transform our offer to customers, as he has shown with the launch of M&S Lifestore.'

The flamboyant Italian joined M&S a year ago with a brief to oversee Lifestore, the new furniture and home venture. He joined the group with a £1.2m golden hello. His basic salary will now rise to £485,000 from £425,000.

The Italian, who is credited with transforming sleepy Selfridges into one of the hottest stores in the capital, was recently given the task of a pilot revamp for the core M&S chain. But some in the City worried that he will be demanding an open cheque book to create his vision of retail excellence.

He is widely respected as a retailer but there are fears he is 'not a numbers man'. However, Holmes said their skills were complementary: 'My role will be driving strategy,' he said.

M&S also named Mark McKeon, European president of the Starbucks coffee chain, for the newly created role of executive director of retail, international and outlets.