Yet another A-grade, C-Suite signing for M&S is due to take a board seat on 1 December. The retail giant has just appointed Sean Doyle, the current chairman & chief executive of British Airways, as a non-exec.

It follows news that former CEO of Asda, Roger Burnley, will also be joining the board on the same day and in the same capacity. Both Doyle and Burney will also sit on its Audit & Risk and Nomination committees.

As a “practising chief executive and an outstanding business leader in the complex and challenging airline industry, [Doyle] also represents an iconic British brand with extraordinary public exposure”, noted M&S on announcing his appointed Wednesday (12 November).

Archie Norman, who has also just agreed to extend is chairmanship, said: “M&S is the most public of public companies, and Sean will bring great leadership and strong operating skills to [us] as we prepare for the next phase of reshaping.”

Doyle added: “Being the CEO of Britain’s flag carrier is a very special job, as you are the custodian of a brand which is part of the fabric of the country. Not many brands can equal that, but M&S certainly can.

“I am privileged to be joining a board focused on ‘protecting the magic’ of the brand as it modernises the business through the ‘Reshaping for Growth’ strategy and look forward to supporting the next phase.”

Meanwhile, Burnley was the last person to hold the official title of Asda CEO before stepping down in 2021 shortly after the supermarket’s takeover by the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital.

Norman, who is also a former Asda CEO, said of his appointment: “Roger brings extensive experience… in supply chain transformation. He is a strong addition to the team.”