Marks & Spencer has named former Coles executive Thinus Keeve as its new retail director, a newly created role that will give him oversight of all stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Keeve, who joins the business on 6 June, will also lead central store operations and report directly to M&S operations director Sacha Berendji.

Berendji will continue to oversee property, security and business continuity, alongside retail strategy.

Keeve brings over a decade of senior retail experience from Australia’s second-largest supermarket, Coles, where he held a number of leadership roles, including chief sustainability, property and export officer.

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“Thinus joins M&S from Australia where he has spent the majority of his career, having worked in a number of senior leadership roles at Coles,” said M&S chief executive Stuart Machin.

“In his new role, Thinus will have accountability for all M&S stores across the UK and ROI, as well as central store operations.

“Like all new senior leaders, Thinus will spend his first month working in stores getting close to colleagues and close to customers.

“Following this, to ensure stores remain at the very heart of our decision-making across M&S, in July he will also join our ExCo team.

His appointment comes as M&S accelerates its store renewal programme, with plans to open 12 new food halls,  including two 18,000 sq ft sites in Abingdon and Cannock later this year.

The new openings are part of a broader effort to reshape the estate with “bigger, better” stores in priority locations.