DIYWEEK.net

John Lewis has announced senior management changes and the appointment of a new group productivity director.
Andrew Murphy, currently retail director at John Lewis, will take up the latter, newly-created role. He joined the group in 1992 and has been in his current position for five years.

The purpose of the new role is to work closely with the chairman's committee and partnership board to develop plans to support John Lewis Partnership's productivity improvements, financial strategy and the future organisation structure.

Mark Lewis, who joined John Lewis as online director in 2013, becomes retail director, taking responsibility for both shop and online operations. The move will allow John Lewis to accelerate the full integration of its channels and lead the next generation of omnichannel retail.

In addition to his current responsibilities for supply chain and merchandising, operations director Dino Rocos will also assume responsibility for omnichannel customer ordering, contact handling and health and safety. He joined the Partnership in 1976.

Building on her current role as buying and brand director, Paula Nickolds will become commercial director, leading the development of the John Lewis proposition of the future, including new store formats. She joined the partnership as a graduate trainee in 1994.

Finally, Craig Inglis will take up the new role of customer director. He will continue to be in charge of marketing and customer insight, but his remit will now include responsibility for end-to-end customer experience. He is currently John Lewis marketing director, having joined the partnership in 2008.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street said that "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."