Kate Bostock

It has been a roller-coaster year for Marks & Spencer’s general merchandise boss.

Respected across fashion retail for her product flair, Bostock was one of the leading internal candidates to succeed departing boss Sir Stuart Rose (8) as chief executive.

The contest involved appearing before investors at last autumn’s infamous strategy update, an experience Bostock did not appear to enjoy. She seemed happy when Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland (4) got the top job, and threw herself back into her product specialisation with renewed vigour.

And the results show. In its fourth quarter, M&S achieved its biggest ever clothing market share in a 12-week period as improvements initiated by Bostock - some seeds planted a while ago which bore fruit, others instigated in a shorter time frame - showed through.

Since adding home to her portfolio of responsibilities - which had traditionally mainly comprised apparel - she has made strides in improving the offer and believes it is a big opportunity for the retailer.

Bolland, who has no experience of apparel retail, is likely to rely heavily on the down-to-earth Bostock. M&S already commands 12% of the womenswear market in the UK. If Bostock can continue her success, that number is likely to rise even higher.