No doubt what the biggest story of the week was. Steven Esom's move from Waitrose to Marks & Spencer is a big blow to Bracknell and a major coup for the Oxford Street-based retailer. With his premium/ethical heritage it's a very comfy fit. The share options won't do any harm either.

In one sense it's a sideways step. He's gone from being head of food at JLP to head of food at M&S, and the food interests of the two companies are almost identical. But the question on everyone's lips is whether's he's being groomed for the big job. Stuart Rose, who steps down in 2009, has made no secret of his desire to find a successor. And Esom is a strong candidate, running a division that represents 50% of Marks & Spencer's sales (though a far smaller portion of its profits). But though Terry Green is no longer in the equation, and while Esom's predecessor Guy Farrant (now director of retail and outlets) has been described as an "operations" man, his coronation is by no means certain. It seems Rose is lining up a strong team (though, interestingly, none are on the main board) and one possibility is that he lets the best man (or woman - Kate Bostock in womenswear is also a strong contender) win.

Even these contenders may not be Rose's ultimate solution, however. Undoubtedly Esom will have been promised a bite at the cherry. But it's interesting that Terry Green was offered the COO's job. And, of course, he had the one ingredient, in spades, that Esom lacks. No, not personality. Esom is quietly, passionately effective, a bit like Sir Terry Leahy. As well as being larger than life, Terry Green is also super-knowledgeable about fashion. It's not altogether impossible that Stuart Rose is still on the lookout for his successor. And that he/she isn't even on board yet.

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