Steve Rowe (businessman)

Stephen Joseph Rowe (born July 1967) is a British businessman and former CEO of Marks & Spencer from April 2016 to 2022.^[1]

Steve Rowe
Born	Stephen Joseph Rowe July 1967 (age 57)
Nationality	British
Occupation(s)	Former CEO, Marks & Spencer

Early life

Stephen Joseph Rowe was born in July 1967.^[2] He is from Croydon.^[3] His father, Joe Rowe also worked for M&S, where he was head of food, and a main board director.^[3]

Career

Rowe has spent almost his entire career at Marks & Spencer, starting in Croydon working on Saturdays, aged 15.^[3]

Aged 18, Rowe joined Topshop as a trainee, and soon became a store manager, but returned to M&S, "frustrated with the lack of career development at the company".^[4]

On 7 January 2016 it was announced that Marc Bolland, who was CEO since 2010 would step down on 2 April 2016, and be replaced by Rowe, who was then head of clothing, and had previously been head of the food business.^[5]

On 2 April 2016, he became the CEO of M&S.^[6] In March 2022 it was announced that Rowe would step down as CEO being replaced by COO Stuart Machin.^[7] Rowe officially left the company in July 2022 after 37 years.^[1][8] He was awarded a final £1.6 million pay package.^[1]

Personal life

Rowe is a "diehard Millwall fan".^[4] He lives in Purley.^[9]

References

1. Hotten, Russell. "Shareholder revolt at £1.6m bonus awarded to M&S chief Steve Rowe". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
2. "Stephen Joseph ROWE - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
3. "Steve Rowe: Everything you need to know about the man replacing Marc Bolland at Marks & Spencer". City A.M. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
4. Chris Green (7 January 2016). "Marks & Spencer names Steve Rowe as new chief executive | Business News | News". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
5. Butler, Sarah; Kollewe, Julia (7 January 2016). "M&S boss Marc Bolland to step down". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
6. Zoe Wood (1 January 1970). "New M&S boss Steve Rowe faces baptism of fire as sales fall | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
7. "M&S boss Steve Rowe to step down after close to 40 years with retailer". the Guardian. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
8. "M&S Investors Revolt Over Pay for Outgoing CEO Steve Rowe". Bloomberg.com. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
9. Daniel O'Mahony (7 January 2016). "Croydon businessman Steve Rowe appointed Marks and Spencer chief executive after joining company as 15-year-old Saturday boy (From Croydon Guardian)". Croydonguardian.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2016.

Business positions
Preceded by Marc Bolland	CEO of Marks & Spencer 2016–2023	Succeeded by Stuart Machin
Incumbent