LONDON, United Kingdom — Marks & Spencer Group Plc said its clothing head John Dixon is leaving the U.K. retailer, ending a career that began on the shop floor almost 30 years ago.

Dixon is stepping down to “pursue career opportunities outside of the company,” London-based Marks & Spencer said in a statement late Thursday. He will step down from the board immediately and leave on a date to be determined. Steve Rowe, who heads the food division, will take over Dixon’s role as head of the general-merchandise unit, which mostly comprises apparel. Rowe’s position in the food unit is being taken by divisional trading director Andy Adcock.

Since being appointed head of M&S’s general-merchandise division three years ago, 47-year-old Dixon has presided over a near continuous decline in sales, as the retailer lost ground to U.K. competitors such as Next Plc and Primark. The poor performance has heaped pressure on Chief Executive Officer Marc Bolland, with 6 percent of shareholders voting to oppose his re- election at this month’s annual general meeting.

Last year, in which sales at M&S’s general-merchandise unit fell 2.5 percent, Dixon received a bonus of 217,000 pounds ($338,607), the lowest amount paid to any of the company’s executive directors. Dixon has been working alongside high- profile style director Belinda Earl in an effort to revive the chain’s fading popularity.

Rowe is a 26-year company veteran who took over from Dixon as head of the food unit in 2012.

“Steve has outstanding experience working across the business and is well placed to take the general-merchandise business forward,” Bolland said in the statement.

Dixon’s departure was first reported by The Financial Times.

By Sam Chambers; editor: Matthew Boyle.