Marks & Spencer India makes key appointments to leadership team

Marks & Spencer Reliance India Pvt Ltd. (Marks & Spencer India) has announced two new appointments to its leadership team. James Munson joins as the new head of retail and marketing, and Maneesh Gaur as the head of property & projects. As part of their responsibilities, Munson will head retail operations, marketing and corporate communications, while Gaur will be part of the leadership team to strategically drive the property strategy and store opening programme for Marks & Spencer in India.  
Munson is a retail professional with over 14 years of experience in the industry; he joined Marks & Spencer UK in 2006 as an experienced manager from BHS. Gaur's last stint was at Shoppers Stop; he has two decades of experience in formulating business expansion strategies, techno commercials and legal negotiations for different retail formats across a number of Indian cities. 

Martin Jones, chief executive officer, Marks & Spencer India, said, “I’m delighted to welcome James and Maneesh to our leadership team. India is an important market for Marks & Spencer, its large population and economic growth presents us with our huge opportunity. James’ and Maneesh’s keen business acumen and retail expertise will add great value to our business and help support our growth in India.”

Commenting on his appointment, Munson said, “I am very pleased to be joining Marks & Spencer India at a time where there is great opportunity for us to build a leadership position in the market. Marks & Spencer is an iconic retailer with a high quality, great value product offer. Our core brand values of Quality, Value, Service, Innovation and Trust are as important to us in India today as they were when Marks & Spencer was founded in the UK over 125 years ago. I look forward to being a part of the team that will continue to build this unique brand in the Indian market.”

On his new role at Marks & Spencer India, Gaur said, “I’m thrilled to be at Marks & Spencer India especially at a time when we are seeing the Indian retail market come of age and attract an increasing amount of interest. Marks & Spencer has great momentum in the Indian market and I look forward to helping to build a strong presence here.”