 In September 1999 he became chairman of Marks & Spencer's Ventures Division and a year later he was appointed to the executive board as executive director for Strategy, International and Ventures.Norgrove was heavily involved in the early recovery of Marks and Spencer but in January 2004 he was fired from his role as director of clothing following poor Christmas sales.He continued in his position as chair of the trustees of the Marks & Spencer pension fund until later in the year, playing a role in the attempt by Philip Green to acquire the company.