M&S appoints Andy Halford to its BoD

Andy Halford is the Chief Financial Officer of Vodafone Group plc. He brings considerable experience working within a large international consumer business with important knowledge of the mobile landscape. Andy will join both the Nomination and Audit Committees on appointment.

Having served on the Board and as Chairman of the Audit Committee since February 2006, Jeremy Darroch will leave the Board in June 2013. Andy will succeed Jeremy as Chairman of the Audit Committee from that date. In order to ensure continuity on the Board, Steve Holliday has agreed to stand for re-election at the AGM in July 2013 for one further year until stepping down at the AGM in July 2014, by which time he will have served for 10 years. He will continue to Chair the Remuneration Committee until that time.

Andy Halford joined Vodafone in 1999 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Vodafone Group plc in 2005. From 2002-2005 he was Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Wireless in the US and is now a member of the Board of Representatives of the Verizon Wireless partnership. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Commenting on the appointment, Robert Swannell, Chairman of M&S said: “I am delighted to welcome Andy to the Board. As well as his finance background, he brings valuable international, consumer and digital experience and will be an excellent appointment as Chairman of the Audit Committee following Jeremy's retirement from the Board next year. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Jeremy for his significant contribution to M&S since 2006 and his strong leadership of our Audit Committee. I am delighted that he has agreed to continue as Chairman of the Audit Committee until he leaves the Board in June.”

Andy Halford said: “I am looking forward to joining the Board of M&S and contributing to the continued development of this great brand.”

Marks and Spencer