Flic Howard-Allen

I have just come from Marks & Spencer, a company in the spotlight, subject to comment and criticism from every quarter, all of the time. It taught me you have to know what you want to achieve, think quickly, make decisions and be brave.  I also learnt to constantly flex according to the changing environment, while remaining true to what you were trying to achieve.

I was also lucky enough to lead the creation of Plan A, M&S’ environmental and social plan from a vague idea, to a programme recognised last year by the World Environment Centre, when it was awarded their 24th Gold Medal for Sustainable Development.  It was an immense privilege to work on a programme which will ultimately change the way M&S operates.

Twenty five odd years in business has brought home to me the importance of leadership, that people who work together as a team can achieve truly astonishing things and that personally, ‘restless dissatisfaction’ sums me up.  Whatever you did last time may have been great, but you can probably do it better still the next. Whether my three teenage boys (15 years and identical twins of 14 years) would be pleased by this, I have my doubts.