Ed
Williams

Profile
Ed has enjoyed a 25-year career with Marks & Spencer. In 2001, he was appointed Head of Corporate Social Responsibility accountable to the Group Board for establishing Marks & Spencer as the most trusted retailer through responsible business practice. He established and implemented the Company’s CSR strategy and, under his watch, M&S was judged Business in the Community’s “Company of the Year 2004”.

Between 1997 and 2000, he led Marks & Spencer’s Millennium Programme and was responsible for the development and implementation of Children’s Promise which raised £23 million, benefiting 43,000 children in need. Before 1997, he had a series of HR appointments culminating in a six-year appointment as Head of Leadership Development and Learning.

Professional Awards, Education
Certified in Work Counselling Skills (Centre for Professional & Executive Development and Counselling)
Leadership in Management (Marks & Spencer - Sundridge Park)
Management Development Programme (Marks & Spencer)
BA (Hons) - Kings College, London

Ed has lived and worked in Zambia as a volunteer teacher with Voluntary Service Overseas. He has had a range of non-executive appointments including Commissioner on the Barrow Cadbury Trust Commission on Young Adults and the Criminal Justice System, Deputy Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Group, Chair of Alone in London, HR advisor to the Royal National Theatre and member of the Common Purpose North London Advisory Board.

Ed was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2000.