The shake-up at the top of Marks & Spencer (M&S) has led to the departure of the company's marketing director.
Ms Alice Avis is said to have quit after being asked to report to Mr Steve Sharp, part of the new management team headed by Mr Stuart Rose.
The Timesreports that Ms Avis, a former global brand director of Diageo's Johnnie Walker whisky, had been at M&S for 18 months and is line for a £300,000 payoff.
It is still not clear if entrepreneur Mr Philip Green will come back with a renewed bid after his first cash and shares offer was turned down by M&S directors.
He has put between £7 billion and £9 billion on the table but shareholders say it significantly undervalues the company and want at least £10 billion.
Singer Charlotte Church has spurned the chance to be the face of Marks & Spencer. Chiefs at the troubled stores chain wanted her to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and actress Claire Sweeney.
But the singer (18) said they had not offered enough - and in any case feared the tie-up would ruin her image.