M&S Food to launch specialist innovation team
M&S Food is launching a new specialist team that will tasked with driving disruptive innovation.
Due to launch in January, the Innovation Hub will support M&S Food’s strategy by creating new products and addressing some of the biggest challenges in the food sector.
The team will also help the retailer to introduce new sustainability solutions including soya-alternative proteins for plant-based foods and new materials to reduce plastic packaging.
The expertise of the nine-strong team will span packaging, nutrition, product innovation and business development. Most will be existing M&S staff, although the retailer will be taking on new recruits to drive its food transformation.
Stuart Machin, M&S Food’s managing director, said: “Creating a dedicated team with the sole purpose of driving disruptive innovation will support us in being more relevant to our customers. But it’s not just about relevancy today; the Innovation Hub will enable us to track emerging trends and insights, so we’re one step ahead in responding to our customers’ needs in the future. The team will play a key role in helping us to build an even bigger and better food range and show customers that we’re taking action to address the sustainability issues they care about most – so that our actions today protect the planet for tomorrow.”
Headed up by former M&S head of food technology for convenience Dom Darby, the Innovation Hub will report directly into April Preston, M&S Food’s director of product development.
