Stephen Langford will start at Marks & Spencer as ecommerce director in just over a week’s time. Chief executive Steve Rowe said Langford will be “responsible for driving the transformation of our ecommerce business, helping to turbo-charge M&S.com and become an online winner in clothing and home”.

Langford will report to M&S’ new clothing and home managing director, Richard Price, who joins from Tesco in July to spearhead attempts to revive M&S’ apparel arm.

In a memo to staff, Rowe said: “Stephen knows the M&S business, having worked as our first multichannel merchandising manager in 2006, and since then has broadened his experience of transformation at Tesco and latterly as vice-president at George. During his time at George, he has led a significant change programme; growing market share and brand equity as well as lowering the cost base of the business.”