Talk:Stuart Machin

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Biography This article is within the scope of WikiProject Biography, a collaborative effort to create, develop and organize Wikipedia's articles about people. All interested editors are invited to join the project and contribute to the discussion. For instructions on how to use this banner, please refer to the documentation.BiographyWikipedia:WikiProject BiographyTemplate:WikiProject Biographybiography Articles for creation This article was reviewed by member(s) of WikiProject Articles for creation. The project works to allow users to contribute quality articles and media files to the encyclopedia and track their progress as they are developed. To participate, please visit the project page for more information.Articles for creationWikipedia:WikiProject Articles for creationTemplate:WikiProject Articles for creationAfC This article was accepted from this draft on 29 August 2022 by reviewer Star Mississippi (talk · contribs).

Why is this draft? Ghatbh12 (talk) 21:20, 18 March 2022 (UTC)Reply

because removing info it says not to remove doesn't mean it's no longer a draft. You have to re-submit it and wait for an independent editor to review it. Please also disclose any other accounts you may be using. Star Mississippi 23:01, 18 March 2022 (UTC)Reply

• Thank you, Star Mississippi. As far as I can determine, Machin has little if any hinterland. I can find nothing about his parents, origins, education or any real personal life. However, a lack of "notability independent" from the organisation is not unusual for large company CEOs, and I do not believe that that is necessary to meet WP:SIGCOV. I have added two more paragraphs at the end of "Career" that are closer to what you might be looking for. At the end of the day, the article would surely survive the AfD process, so should be moved into mainspace. Edwardx (talk) 16:17, 29 August 2022 (UTC)Reply

Hi @Edwardx: I feel like I've seen business people AfDs go both ways, merge to their organization and/or remain standalone, but that's feel and not an actual analysis as I'm not sure how to find closed business people AfDs. I see your point though that it's unlikely to be deleted. I'll accept as you've beyond addressed the issues that led to three of us draftifying. Someone can take it to AfD if they believe Machin shouldn't be covered. MY personal opinion is a merger would make sense, but that's not a reason not to accept a well written article. Doing so now. Star Mississippi 20:47, 29 August 2022 (UTC)Reply

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion:

• Stuart Machin M&S.jpg

You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 15:53, 18 January 2023 (UTC)Reply

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered.

Hello, my name is Sophie, I work at Marks & Spencer and I’m seeking some help with updating the article. As someone with a connection to the subject of the article, I would like to collaborate with neutral editors in the community to improve and update the current version. While focusing on notable material, the aim is to address the issues flagged at the top of the article to the point where warning boxes aren’t needed anymore. I have worked on updates to the article which focus on balancing the overall tone and also includes notable information not included in previous drafts. The proposed changes include:

• Balancing the tone and removing promotional language
• Including some of the latest notable events related to Stuart’s position as CEO of M&S
• Updates to the M&S section regarding financial sales in Stuart’s tenure and clarification on the structure between Stuart and Katie Bickerstaffe.
• Including notable sources to improve the accuracy and ensure the article is up to date (Year of birth and third-party source for his attendance at Harvard Business School)

Below I have the refreshed article and a side-by-side comparison for ease. I would be very grateful if a neutral editor could review the changes I have proposed and action if you think appropriate. Thank you in advance for all your help and please let me know what the next steps are. Sosan84 (talk) 14:15, 15 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

Partly done

Not done:

• The Daily Mail is a deprecated source - a primary source isn't ideal but the Daily Mail is worse.
• Did not add "while in the role, the division’s sales rose by over 10% from £5.9million to £6.6 million" - heavily implies that he was responsible for this, which I would want to see from an independent source.
• Did not add "championed the benefits of careers in retail", promotional and not in source.

I've removed the tags - the current state of the article is better than when it was tagged for puffery, and the article has been cleaned & further paid editing disclosed (thank you!).

Rusalkii (talk) 04:00, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

Thank you so much for your time in reviewing this. It's been great to collaborate with you.

I appreciate you accepting most of the proposed edits and I take your three points of feedback too.

Sosan84 (talk) 10:41, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

Hi User:Rusalkii

Apologies to message again so soon, but I noticed two quick factual errors in the article following the update.

• Stuart was born in October 1970 – this is now reflected in the article but not in the infobox, could that be updated please. Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/A4czjaYDU4d1WgoezgBICX4smQQ/appointments
• It was as Managing Director of Target, not Coles, that he resigned from in April 2016, this is backed up by the existing source: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/who-is-stuart-machin-mss-new-ceo-2022-05-20/

Hopefully these are relatively straightforward changes to make, but do please let me know of any questions.

Thank you

Sosan84 (talk) 16:36, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

 Done, thanks for the corrections. Note for future reference that if you're making minor changes you don't need to add the whole revised article here, just the parts that have changed. Rusalkii (talk) 18:09, 16 August 2024 (UTC)Reply

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest was declined.

Hi all, I have previously worked with User:Rusalkii on this article, and wanted to reach out to discuss an addition.

There has been an update on the Marble Arch redevelopment which is referenced in the article at present. This update has been extensively covered by major news sources.

I’ve drafted some updated wording below that can be added to the existing commentary, supported by high-authority third-party sources (The Telegraph, The BBC, and The Guardian).

I hope this should be a simple addition but let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you.

Sosan84 (talk) 14:24, 19 December 2024 (UTC)Reply

Not Done. Request is purely promotional. Wikipedia is not a platform for recording what businessmen say about their own businesses. Axad12 (talk) 20:40, 19 December 2024 (UTC)Reply

Hi Axad12, sorry for the delay in getting back.

Thank you for taking the time to look at this and for your feedback. In the interests of keeping the article accurate and up to date, perhaps the below is more suitable? There is only a very small addition made at the end of the existing language (and to update grammar accordingly)

Thanks!

In August 2022, Machin said that London's Oxford Street was in danger of becoming a "dinosaur district destined for extinction". He was vocal in support of the controversial planned demolition and redevelopment of M&S's flagship store there, close to Marble Arch ^[1][2], which was approved in November 2024.^[3]

Sosan84 (talk) 11:07, 22 January 2025 (UTC) Sosan84 (talk) 11:07, 22 January 2025 (UTC)Reply

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered.

Started - comments left for unfinished items STEMinfo (talk) 05:53, 9 December 2025 (UTC)Reply
Hi everyone, I’m Sophie and I work at Marks & Spencer. I’ve contributed suggestions here before around sourcing and tone. I’d now like to continue by proposing some further improvements to expand and strengthen the article's content and structure.

Because I’m professionally connected to the company, I want to be upfront about my conflict of interest. I won’t be editing the article directly, but will instead suggest updates here for the editorial community to consider.

I’ve outlined the suggestions that I’m proposing just below, along with the relevant code. As these suggestions are quite substantive, I’d really welcome any feedback on the proposed structure, content and sources, and of course I’ll be happy to adjust based on editor guidance. We can also tackle this in stages if easier for editors.

I’d be grateful for any advice on the best way to take this forward. Thank you! Sophie

Some of these sections have been created STEMinfo (talk) 21:44, 8 December 2025 (UTC)Reply
I would like to suggest reorganising Stuart Machin’s Wikipedia page into distinct sections to improve readability and better reflect his career trajectory. This would involve both introducing new material and reordering existing content. The proposed structure is outlined below:

• Education
• Career
  • Marks & Spencer
  • Appointment as CEO (new section)
  • Leadership of M&S (new section)
• Industry advocacy and government engagement (new section)
• Industry awards and recognition (new section)
• Personal life

 Done STEMinfo (talk) 21:45, 8 December 2025 (UTC)Reply
Suggested addition (Career section):

He worked for Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda in increasingly senior roles, followed by ten years in Australia working for the Wesfarmers conglomerate as operations director of Coles, where he was among the executive team tasked with turning around the grocery chain, before becoming the managing director of Target Australia.^[4]

 Done STEMinfo (talk) 21:56, 8 December 2025 (UTC)Reply
Suggested change (career section):

From:

He then became the chief executive of Steinhoff International.

To:

He then became the chief executive of Steinhoff UK.^[5]

Suggested addition #1 (Marks & Spencer section):

In 2019, as Managing Director of M&S Food, Machin led the launch of five new “food renewal” stores, including pilot sites at Hempstead Valley and Clapham.^[6]

 Not done The article used as a source doesn't mention the company launching five food renewal stores or Clapham. Why not paraphrase just what's in the source: "In May 2018, Machin joined M&S in the newly created role of managing director in the company's food division. He was tasked with reinventing M&S’s food business, and oversaw the expansion of the company's food halls." STEMinfo (talk) 22:07, 8 December 2025 (UTC)Reply

Existing Wikipedia text to be included (Appointment as CEO section):

In March 2022, it was announced that Machin would succeed Steve Rowe as chief executive of the company, while Bickerstaffe would become co-chief executive reporting to Machin. Machin assumed his new role on 25 May 2022 and joined the board. In July 2024, Bickerstaffe stepped down from her role.

 Done STEMinfo (talk) 22:09, 8 December 2025 (UTC)Reply

Suggested addition #1 (Leadership of M&S section):
 Not done This is too much detail, and really not encyclopedic. It strikes me as something Machin would like to add, but which isn't of useful interest to readers. It's hard to credit the CEO with everything that the company does during his reign. Anything truly notable should go in the company article, unless the source explicitly credits Machin, and even then, we need to take a step back to get perspective. STEMinfo (talk) 05:45, 9 December 2025 (UTC)Reply

In 2022, shortly after his appointment as chief executive, Machin set out a turnaround plan branded Reshaping M&S for Growth, presented at that year’s Capital Markets Day.^[7] The strategy involved an investment programme to improve the quality and value of clothing and food, an overhaul of M&S’s store estate, an upgrade of its technology and ecommerce operations and supply chain modernisation. Trade publications later reported that the plan coincided with improved sales and profits, with both the food and clothing divisions gaining market share.^[8][9][10]

Suggested addition #2 (existing Wikipedia text to be included in the Leadership of M&S section):

Under Machin’s leadership, the company returned to the FTSE100 in August 2023 and restored its dividend for shareholders in 2024.

Suggested addition #3 (Leadership of M&S section):

Machin led a £500m store rotation programme to reshape the estate to around 420 food halls and 180 full-line stores.^[11]

Suggested addition #4 (Leadership of M&S section):

Under Machin’s leadership M&S acquired Gist, its principal logistics provider, in 2022, and in August 2025 announced a £340m automated distribution centre in Northamptonshire due to open in 2029 to support the Food business.^[12]

Suggested addition #5 (existing Wikipedia text to be included in the Leadership of M&S section):

In May 2022, Machin launched "Straight to Stuart", a scheme that allows staff to share views and ideas with him for improving the company. As of January 2024, the scheme had generated over 15,000 suggestions from colleagues, including from bowel cancer survivor Cara Hoofe whose idea for the inclusion of bowel cancer symptoms on toilet roll packaging and in-store toilets was implemented across all M&S stores.

Suggested addition #6 (Leadership of M&S section):

In 2023, Machin introduced a policy requiring all staff from the store support centre to work at least seven days per year in stores, with the aim of identifying and helping to resolve operational issues. He has described himself as regularly visiting M&S stores and taking a hands-on role in product development,^[13] and in a 2025 interview with Drapers said he also reviews the company’s online and in-store offer, including the app, product imagery and availability, as well as M&S’s food listings on Ocado, in which the company holds a 50% stake.^[14]

Suggested addition #7 (Leadership of M&S section):

During his tenure as CEO of Marks & Spencer, the company renewed its partnership with The King’s Trust through the Marks & Start programme, which has supported thousands of young people into employment.^{[15] [16]}

Suggested addition #8 (existing Wikipedia text to be included in the Leadership of M&S section):

In May 2025, it was reported Machin earned £7.1 million in 2024-25, which included £4.6 million of performance-related bonuses, a £1.6 million bonus linked to company's performance that year and around £894,000 of fixed pay and pensions benefits.

---

 Not done This also strikes me as too much self-serving detail, and not really of interest to the causal reader. It can be summarized with just a few lines and a few of the sources. Do you want to try a summary saying "Machin has advocated for .....?"STEMinfo (talk) 05:48, 9 December 2025 (UTC)Reply

Suggested addition #1 (existing Wikipedia text to be included in the Industry advocacy and government engagement section):

Machin has advocated for reforms to the apprenticeship levy, arguing that its current structure hindered M&S's ability to train more young individuals. He oversaw the re-launch of management trainee schemes for school leavers and graduates at M&S in 2023.

Suggested addition #2 (Industry advocacy and government engagement section section)

As CEO, Machin oversaw M&S’s plans to redevelop its flagship Marble Arch store on Oxford Street. In July 2023, following Communities Secretary Michael Gove’s decision to block the demolition and redevelopment, Machin described the move as “utterly pathetic” and a “shortsighted act of self-sabotage”.^[17] M&S subsequently launched a legal challenge, and in December 2024 the redevelopment was approved by Gove’s successor, Angela Rayner. ^[18] Following the decision, Machin said he was “delighted that, after three unnecessary years of delays, obfuscation and political posturing at its worst, under the previous Government, our plans for Marble Arch […] have finally been approved”.^[19]

Suggested addition #3 (Industry advocacy and government engagement section section)

In February 2025, The Times published an opinion piece from Machin in which he criticised aspects of the UK government's post-Autumn Budget tax and regulatory plans. He cited rising employment costs, higher National Insurance contributions, and the planned expansion of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme as potential risks to the retail sector.^[20] He was quoted by The Guardian as saying that UK retail was “being raided like a piggy bank” and warning that the changes could lead to job losses and store closures.^[21]

Suggested addition #4 (Industry advocacy and government engagement section section)

In March 2025, M&S announced an increase in base pay for hourly-paid store staff from £12.00 to £12.60 per hour, part of a series of uplifts amounting to around a 26% rise since 2022.^[22] Machin described the rise as taking place in the context of “significant cost headwinds,” including higher National Insurance and environmental compliance costs. ^[23]

Suggested addition #5 (Industry advocacy and government engagement section section)

In an interview with Drapers in 2025, Machin characterised recent policy as a “double whammy” for retailers, citing higher National Insurance, continued business rates burdens, inflationary costs, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) charges on packaging. Machin has also raised concerns about elements of the Employment Rights Bill, including potential limits on probationary periods, and the cost implications for employers.^[24]

 Not done Can you find an independent source for the awards, and are they covered with Wikipedia articles? If not, they aren't going to meet the notability threshold for inclusion. STEMinfo (talk) 05:52, 9 December 2025 (UTC)Reply
Suggested addition #1 (Industry awards and recognition)

In 2023, The Grocer named Machin its Grocer of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards.^[25]

Suggested addition #2 (Industry awards and recognition)

In 2025, he received Retail Week’s Retail Leader of the Year award, with the publication noting M&S’s strong performance under his leadership and improvements across multiple areas of the business.^[26]

Suggested addition #3 (Industry awards and recognition)

In 2025, academic and retail analyst Richard Hyman said that M&S’s turnaround “has been delivered” and credited Machin with an “enormous amount of credit”.^[27]

Suggested addition #4 (Industry awards and recognition)

Former House of Fraser and Saks Fifth Avenue chief executive Andrew Jennings praised Machin and his team for making the brand more relevant to younger shoppers.^[28]

--- Sosan84 (talk) 16:40, 17 September 2025 (UTC)Reply

@STEMinfo:

Hello,

Thank you for your previous help in reviewing the requested changes, implementing the agreed ones, and providing feedback on the points still to revisit.

I work for Marks and Spencer and wanted to follow up here in place of my colleague, who cannot do so themself at this time. I am currently working through the feedback already provided on those earlier requests.

Separately, I was hoping to get a neutral editor’s view on the recent passage referring to Stuart Machin being “publicly called out” in January 2026.

The line currently states:

“In January 2026, Stuart Machin was publicly called out for ignoring the claims that Marks and Spencer is still supporting outdated and abusive sea animal sourcing practices, including overcrowded and barren aquaculture systems, stressful handling, inhumane slaughter methods, and the severe suffering caused during wild capture, etc.”

From what I can see, the material appears to rely on a personal website and a campaign or advocacy site, and I was unsure whether this reflects the kind of independent secondary sourcing usually expected under WP:RS for material of this nature.

As this relates to a living person and presents potentially contentious criticism, it seems that the higher standard set out under WP:BLP would apply.

I also wondered whether the current wording may lean toward evaluative or advocacy-style language, for example “abusive”, “inhumane”, and “severe suffering”, which may not fully align with a neutral, encyclopaedic tone unless clearly attributed and supported in line with WP:NPOV and WP:UNDUE.

With that in mind, I would respectfully request that editors consider removing this material, in light of the policies noted above. I am raising this here rather than editing directly because of my conflict of interest.

Many thanks in advance for taking a look.

Nero1404 (talk) 14:43, 16 April 2026 (UTC)Reply

This was addressed by someone else. The editor who added the info has been adding animal rights abuses to a variety of articles, and they've all been removed as being poorly sourced. See WP:RIGHTGREATWRONGS STEMinfo (talk) 03:32, 20 April 2026 (UTC)Reply