Former Head of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington, opened the doors of the new M&S Company Archive at the University of Leeds today (Friday 16th March).
Dame Stella was joined by M&S Chairman, Robert Swannell and University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Arthur, to reveal the three-story Michael Marks Building to the public for the first time.
Made possible through a unique partnership between M&S and the University of Leeds, the building houses M&S' full Company Archive of more than 70,000 items and includes expansion space for collections from the University library.
Dame Stella has an active interest in the launch of the Michael Marks Building due to her current role as a member of the governing body for the M&S Archive Community Interest Company (CIC) *, background as an archivist and previous work with M&S.
The opening day celebrations mark the exciting next phase of the project, which began three years ago in M&S' 125th anniversary year, with the announcement of the permanent relocation of the archive from London to Leeds.
With the bespoke new building now complete and located on the University's Western Campus, this unique collection is now accessible to the public for the very first time, and has also opened up the collection to academics and students for research, teaching and learning.
Highlights from the collection are now on display in a dedicated area in the new building and will be regularly updated. The exhibition is designed to walk visitors through M&S' 128 year history, charting the company's progress from the first buttons sold on Michael Marks' Penny Bazaar stall in Leeds' Kirkgate Market and highlighting the product innovation and business growth that have established M&S as the iconic British retailer we know today.
The building's bespoke design also comprises conference facilities, a dedicated reading room facilitating direct access to the items, temperature and humidity controlled units to house M&S' vast collections and additional space for archived items from the University's extensive library collections and staff areas.
Robert Swannell, M&S Chairman said: “We're proud to have opened the doors of this impressive new building which is the result of a successful and prosperous partnership between M&S and the University of Leeds.
“The hard work and commitment that has gone into making this possible means that the history of M&S as an iconic British retailer is accessible for all to enjoy and will continue to evolve back in the city where it all began on Michael Marks' Penny Bazaar stall for many more years to come.”
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, Professor Michael Arthur, said: “Our partnership with Marks & Spencer represents a new model for how a world-leading university and an iconic FTSE 100 company can work together.
“The partnership provides a solid platform for the future, and has already delivered successes for both organisations. The new Michael Marks Building is a fantastic resource for staff and students, the company and the community.”
The rich archive collection includes business papers, advertising materials and merchandise such as clothing, toys and household items. It is expected to be of particular interest to staff and students working in subjects including business, economics, textiles, arts, history, communications, marketing, colour chemistry, food sciences and the social sciences.
Admission to the exhibition is free. A regular programme of events** will also run throughout the year. For further information visit www.marksintime.marksandspencer.com
- Ends -
For more information, please contact:
Amy Garbutt, Beattie Communications
Guy Dixon University of Leeds
To download pictures of the M&S Company Archive collection, please visit:
For more information on the history of M&S, please visit:
http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/aboutus/ourhistory
Notes to Editors
University of Leeds
- The University of Leeds is the UK's eighth biggest research powerhouse according to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. It is also one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University's vision is to secure a place among the world's top 50 by 2015. www.leeds.ac.uk
- The M&S Company Archive enhances the University of Leeds' rich collection of cultural and artistic assets which includes the Stanley and Audrey Burton Art Gallery, the Library and Special Collections, Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall and a theatre complex, stage@leeds. The Refectory remains a perennial favourite with bands; and the University's ground-breaking partnership with Opera North is attracting plaudits.
*M&S Company Archive CIC
M&S Company Archive CIC is a Community Interest Company which has the primary aim of being of benefit to the community, placing a greater emphasis on community and outreach work and on making the archive collection more accessible to the public.
Dame Stella Rimington
Dame Stella's career with the Security Service spanned 27 years. She was the first woman to be appointed Director General of MI5 and the first person to have her name made public. She was a Non-Executive Director of M&S between 1997 and 2004. She is a best-selling novelist and chaired the Man Booker prize in 2011.
Previously she studied archive administration at the University of Liverpool, before beginning work as an archivist at the County Record Office in Worcester in 1959.
The M&S Company Archive – Background
- The M&S Company Archive has been deemed by independent experts as having the potential to be one of the UK's finest corporate archives. It offers an unrivalled insight into the company's corporate history with an extensive collection company documents. It also includes clothing, toys, books, homeware and food packaging.
- The M&S Company Archive is deemed to be of considerable value to scholars due to the economic and social importance of M&S – lending itself to a number of research projects from the evolution of the company, development of staff welfare programmes and financial performance through to the growth of the store network and the range and nature of products provided to a growing mass market.
**Upcoming M&S Company Archive Events:
| DATE | TIME | TYPE | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March | 12.00, 1.30 & 3.00 |
Introductory talks Free No need to book |
Open for Business Hear how this exciting project grew from a seed of an idea into a new building, a new exhibition and a new era for the history of M&S |
| 17 March | 11.00-3.00 |
For all the family Free Booking essential |
Sparky Saturdays: Sweet Treats & Family Favourites A day of celebrating all things sugary and nice. Follow the Sweetie Trail and find out what sweets were like in the days before Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar. Sample some traditional treats and keep your eyes peeled for Percy Pig himself |
| 24 March |
11.00-12.00, 12.30-1.30, & 3.30-4.30 |
Special event Free Booking essential |
Behind the Scenes at the Archive Your opportunity to have all your questions answered. A guided tour of the archive Strongroom and Reading Room. Find out how to use the online catalogue and unearth the treasures held in the archive collections |
| 31 March |
11.00-1.00 & 1.30-3.30 |
For all the family (ages 6+) Free Booking essential |
Sparky Saturdays: Planet-Friendly Fashion An artist will help you make wonderful accessories out of an exciting selection of everyday waste materials |
To book and for further information visit www.marksintime.marksandspencer.com/events
2012 Charity & Community