Marks & Spencer has announced that its head of menswear and kidswear is to leave the company in order to take the helm at Country Road Group in Australia.

Scott Fyfe is an M&S stalwart who became director of the menswear division in 2012 before taking additional responsibility for the kids war function earlier this year.

He will have been with the business for a total of 20 years when he leaves early next year to head up the Australian retailer, currently owned by South Africa’s Woolworths Holdings.

“Scott will leave with our thanks and best wishes,” an M&S spokeswoman said.

“He has had a great career at M&S and we understand that this was an opportunity too good for him to turn down.”