LONDON: One of British retailer Marks & Spencer’s most senior directors has extended her maternity leave by eight months having previously stated she would return to the business in early January.

The firm said that Laura Wade-Gery, executive director, multi-channel, will now return to the firm on Sept. 1, taking her full one-year entitlement to maternity leave.

M&S initially informed the stock market of Wade-Gery’s impending absence in August.

Until her return finance chief Helen Weir will maintain responsibility for e-commerce distribution, and Sacha Berendji, director of retail, and David Walmsley, director of M&S.com, will continue to report to Chief Executive Marc Bolland.