New Head of Childrenswear

Marks & Spencer Group PLC
04 August 2003

Issued: 4 August 2003



            MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF CHILDRENSWEAR


Marks & Spencer is delighted to announce that Anthony Thompson has been
appointed as Director of Childrenswear.  Anthony will report directly to David
Norgrove, Executive Director for Clothing and International, and will sit on the
Group Operating Committee.


Anthony is joining the company from Gap Stores, where he is Senior Vice
President, Europe, responsible for building the brand in the UK, France and
Germany. In this role, he is responsible for 295 stores, leading a team of over
8,000 people and has increased sales and market share in Gap, Gap Kids and Baby
Gap.


His career began in Marks & Spencer in 1984 where he worked both in stores and
in Head Office, becoming a senior manager in Store Planning.  In 1995 he moved
to Arthur Andersen as a retail consultant and in 1997 joined Blackwell Ltd as
Managing Director, Retail Division.  In 1998 he was appointed Group Chief
Executive, having returned the retail business to profit and having acquired a
major competitor.  He joined Gap Stores in 2000.



Anthony Thompson said: 'I am very excited to be joining Marks & Spencer.
Childrenswear has a huge amount of potential and I look forward to working with
a great team of people to meet the challenge of growing the business.'



David Norgrove said: 'I am delighted to welcome Anthony to our team. He brings
good general management experience, with strong strategic planning skills and a
track record of building businesses.  He has a thorough knowledge of the
childrenswear market and a wealth of experience in retailing.



'The recovery of our childrenswear business is an important part of our strategy
and Anthony's knowledge and experience will be invaluable.'



Ends





For further information, please contact:

Lisa Attenborough          Corporate Press Office          020 7268 6166/1967
Tony Quinlan               Investor Relations              020 7268 6300



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