Home Insights How Stuart Machin turned around Marks & Spencer (part one)

How Stuart Machin turned around Marks & Spencer (part one)

Stuart Machin's focus on the in-store experience, products and culture of the business have proved key to boosting the retailer's fortunes

Marks & Spencer is probably the best-known business in Britain. But when Stuart Machin joined in 2018 it had been struggling for years. Since then he has led an extraordinary turnaround of the high street retailer. This is the story of how he did it, in his own words.

Stuart Machin, the chief executive of M&S, talks to the Business Leader Podcast about how M&S is changing its shops, products, and, crucially, the culture within the business. One thing stands out – how much he obsesses over the details (no one buys more men's clothes from M&S than him). That is not easy given M&S has more than 60,000 employees, nearly 1,500 shops, annual revenues of £13bn and pre-tax profits of £673m in its last financial year.

In part one of this two-part special, Stuart Machin discusses his strategy and approach for M&S. In part two, we will look at his career in retail, why he has such passion for the sector and what he thinks are the challenges ahead...

Related and recommended

Give British businesses the right environment to grow

Give British businesses the right environment to grow

With Labour committed to spending more on defence, we need to be clearer on the trade-offs – while realising ultimately it can boost the economy

No 10 sees opportunities in Trump’s trade chaos

No 10 sees opportunities in Trump’s trade chaos

Labour believes a trade deal with the US will change its political fortunes, but there are numerous obstacles in the way

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

The Olympic cycling champion has brought lessons from his time in sport to his work in business

Nine ideas that will help you build a culture of innovation

Nine ideas that will help you build a culture of innovation

How do you build a company culture that nurtures game-changing ideas? Start with mindset, feedback and failure

Apply to become a member

Click here to review our privacy policy.

Start your journey