Finance

M&S considers extending Archie Norman's tenure as chair, FT reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 12, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
M&S considers extending Archie Norman's tenure as chair, FT reports
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

Marks & Spencer Weighs Extension of Archie Norman's Chairmanship

(Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer is considering extending Archie Norman's tenure as chair beyond the UK's recommended nine-year term, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

The retailer's canvassing of investors over whether they would support Norman staying on, comes after M&S suffered a damaging cyber attack in April, which is expected to cost it roughly 300 million pounds ($406.7 million) in gross profit.

The attack, which has been linked to hacker group DragonForce, compromised customer data and forced M&S to suspend click and collect orders for nearly four-months.

Norman was named chairman of M&S at a critical time in 2017, when its clothing division had struggled to deliver growth for more than a decade, and has since been instrumental in revitalising the company with chief executive Stuart Machin.

According to the FT report, a person who knows Norman said he would be willing to stay on, but that it was a decision for the board and investors to make.

M&S did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.

($1 = 0.7376 pounds)

(Reporting by Nishara K.P in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

Key Takeaways

  • Marks & Spencer is considering extending Archie Norman's tenure as chair.
  • The extension is beyond the UK's recommended nine-year term.
  • M&S faced a significant cyber attack linked to DragonForce.
  • The attack impacted customer data and operations.
  • Archie Norman has been pivotal in M&S's recent growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Marks & Spencer considering regarding Archie Norman?
Marks & Spencer is considering extending Archie Norman's tenure as chair beyond the UK's recommended nine-year term.
What event prompted M&S to consult investors about Norman's tenure?
The consultation comes after M&S suffered a damaging cyber attack in April, which is expected to cost the company roughly £300 million.
How has Archie Norman contributed to M&S since his appointment?
Since being named chairman in 2017, Norman has been instrumental in revitalizing M&S's clothing division, which had struggled for over a decade.
What was the impact of the cyber attack on M&S's operations?
The cyber attack compromised customer data and forced M&S to suspend click and collect orders for nearly four months.
What did a source say about Norman's willingness to continue as chair?
A person who knows Norman indicated that he would be willing to stay on, but the decision ultimately lies with the board and investors.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category