Marks & Spencer has appointed Stephen Smy as the new Managing Director of its India operations, succeeding Ritesh Mishra, who departed in April to join Landmark Group as Deputy Chief Executive of India’s department store business, Lifestyle. Smy, a seasoned M&S veteran, brings nearly 26 years of extensive experience across various leadership roles within the company to his new position.
“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as MD India at Marks and Spencer Reliance India Private Limited,” Smy said in a LinkedIn post.
Smy took over the India role in May 2024, becoming the third expatriate—after Mark Ashman and James Munson—to head Marks & Spencer Reliance India Pvt Ltd., a joint venture between the UK retailer and Reliance Retail.
Before this role, Smy was Head of Store Launch & Trading Projects at M&S from August 2022 to May 2024. He successfully led the launch of new stores and managed trading projects across multiple regions. Before this, Smy served as Country Manager for M&S in the Czech Republic for nearly five years, instrumental in guiding the team through significant growth and market adaptation.
Smy’s extensive career at Marks & Spencer includes a diverse range of roles across geographies. He has held key positions such as Head of Business Improvement in London, where he managed critical aspects of the stabilization phase of M&S’ International Strategy, including the sale of M&S Asia Pacific Ltd. (Hong Kong) to the Al-Futtaim Group and the sale of stores and assets to the Voici La Mode Group in Romania. He also served as Country Manager for Hong Kong & Macau, Head of Region for East Anglia, and held several other significant roles within the company, including managing stores and commercial operations across the UK and Ireland.
His academic background includes a BA in Business Studies from the University of Hull, and he completed his secondary education at Hayfield School. Smy’s extensive experience in retail management, sales, merchandising, and leadership has been widely recognized, earning him endorsements from numerous colleagues and industry professionals.
Smy steps into his new role at a time when Marks & Spencer Reliance India is operating more than 100 department stores across the country. Smy’s wealth of experience in international markets and his deep understanding of M&S’s business strategies position him as a key leader to navigate these challenges and steer the company toward continued growth in India.
