M&S sustainability director steps down

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 5, 2019

The man driving Marks & Spencer’s Plan A sustainability plan for the last decade has announced he is leaving the business at the end of June.

Mike Barry said he is stepping down as director of sustainable business at the end of June after 19 years. He will be replaced by Carmel McQuaid, currently head of sustainability at the retailer.

Barry is a respected figure in the sustainability industry. In 2007 he was part of a small team that developed and delivered M&S’ original Plan A programme, a five-year plan to address several environmental and social issues.

Building on the 2007 plan, the national chain is now working towards its Plan A 2025 targets, which includes supporting 1,000 communities, helping 10 million people live happier and converting M&S into a zero-waste business.

A company spokesperson said on his departure: “We’d like to thank Mike for his drive and leadership of our sustainability journey over the last decade and for the significant contribution he’s made to the wider industry,” an M&S spokesman said in a statement.

“We’re delighted that Carmel McQuaid will now continue this work with a focus on how we integrate sustainability into each area of M&S as we build a family of accountable businesses.”