John Lewis’ Peter Ruis to join Jigsaw

Peter Ruis, who has worked at John Lewis for nearly nine

years, is leaving the department store chain to become Chief Executive of Jigsaw.

Ruis, who has been credited with transforming John Lewis as buying and brand director, will be replaced by Paula Nickolds, who has been promoted from her current role as buying director of John Lewis’ home division.

Commenting on his departure, Ruis said: “To work with John Lewis and its proposition during a period of such dynamic change has been a wonderful privilege. As the brand implements the exciting plans it has for the next few years I know that Paula will build on this momentum, maintaining innovation and creativity at its very core.”

Nickolds will take up her new role on September 1, and will take on the leadership of the home, fashion and technology buying teams in addition to marketing, brand development, brand creative, retail design, design studios, visual merchandising and sourcing. She will also join the John Lewis management board, reporting to managing director Andy Street.

Street, said: “I am delighted that Paula will be joining the John Lewis Management Board as buying and brand director. Paula has a profound understanding of what makes us unique in the global retail marketplace. She is ideally placed to ensure that we continually strive for innovation in our product offering and drive forward our brand, design and customer experience.”

Nickolds added: “I am thrilled and honoured by this opportunity. Our product range is the most inspiring it has ever been and our brand has achieved new levels of external recognition so I'm excited to be tasked with taking it to the next level.”