Asos hires former M&S retail executive Kate Bostock

Online retailer Asos has announced the appointment of Kate

Bostock, the former head of general merchandise at Marks & Spencer, as its new executive director of product and trading.

Bostock, who has been linked with the e-tailer for more than a year, will be joining the company and board in January 2013, taking over from Robert Bready who has resigned from the Asos board after seven years to pursue “fresh challenges”.

Her departure from M&S was announced as by “mutual consent” in July, but she did not officially leave until October 1, after eight years with the company.

Nick Robertson, Asos CEO said: “I’d like to thank Rob for his significant contribution to the company. He played a major role in the development of the ASOS story and I and the rest of the board are very grateful to him.

“Our Product and Trading team now exceeds 350 people. We are fortunate to have Kate bring us her wealth of experience from some of the biggest names in retailing as we strengthen our retail disciplines and put in place the structures needed to manage the next phase of our growth.”

Commenting on her new role, Bostock added: “Asos is a phenomenon and I'm in awe of the story. With its unique mix of own label and fashion forward brands delivered online and increasingly through mobile, the potential for Asos globally is huge. I'm very excited to be joining at such a time of immense opportunity".

This is the latest board change at Asos, earlier this month Brian McBride was named Chairman, replacing Lord Waheed Alli.