John Lewis reshuffles senior management team

Department store group John Lewis has reshuffled its senior management team, promoting online director Mark Lewis to retail director, replacing Andrew Murphy, who has been appointed to the newly-created role of group productivity director.

Murphy, who has held the retail director position for five years, will work closely with the Chairman’s Committee and Partnership Board to developing plans that will “support the Partnership's productivity improvements, financial strategy and the future organisation structure”.

Lewis his successor will take responsibility for both shop and online operations, a move that John Lewis states will allow the department store to “accelerate the full integration of its channels and lead the next generation of omnichannel retail”.

Other management changes include buying and branding director Paula Nickolds being named commercial director. Her role will now see her leading the development of the John Lewis proposition of the future including new store formats.

John Lewis creates new group productivity director role

Dino Rocos, who is currently responsible for supply chain and merchandising, will become operations director assuming additional responsibilities for the omnichannel customer ordering, contact handling and health and safety, while Craig Inglis, who currently holds the position of marketing director, has become customer director. Inglis will continue to be responsible for marketing and customer Insight, but his remit will now include responsibility for end-to-end customer experience.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, the Partnership's chairman, said: “The rapid rate of change in retail is set to continue and therefore the time is right for us to develop the thinking that will help sustain the Partnership in the next generation and I am delighted that Andrew has agreed to take up this new role.

“His appointment is part of the plans we are putting in place to deliver the Partnership's strategy in the next five years and follows the announcement of Tom Athron's appointment as group development director in June 2015.”

Andy Street, managing director John Lewis added: “These important changes to the John Lewis Management Board place the customer at the heart of our decision making. The new John Lewis Board composition will ensure we continue to lead omnichannel retailing in the UK.”

Image: John Lewis