M&S has hired Arcadia group estates manager Kerry Northfold as its new head of property, after 17 years at the former Topshop parent.
She is set to join M&S in two weeks. She initially joined Arcadia as a surveyor, becoming group project and disposal manager in 2004 and rising through the ranks to become group estates manager in 2018.
During her time at Arcadia, she was responsible for the estates team and managing the group’s property portfolio throughout the UK and internationally.
In recent years she supported the business through its CVA, the effects of the pandemic and its group administration.
Her appointment follows the hires of property director Will Smith and retail director Helen Milford last year. The retailer’s real estate department is led by retail, operations and property director Sacha Berendji.
The news comes as M&S steps up its store estate strategy. As part of its revamp the retailer unveiled proposals to redevelop its Marble Arch flagship earlier this month, which would see it reduce its retail space and add 300,000 sq ft offices to the location.
Arcadia fell into administration in November last year. Its Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands were bought by online retailer Asos, while rival etailer Boohoo bought its Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton labels.
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