Marks & Spencer has announced that Frances Russell, who has led the womenswear business for nearly three years, has left the company and will be replaced by lingerie and beauty director Jo Jenkins whose role will be expanded to include womenswear as well as the other divisions.

Prior to M&S, Ms Jenkins had been with Next for 15 years.

The move follows the departure of head of general merchandise John Dixon, who left to become chief executive of an unnamed company. He was replaced by Steve Rowe who is thought to be next in line to succeed chief executive Marc Bolland and who has decided to bring together all the product areas designed for female customers under one line of accountability.