New director for John Lewis department stores

John Lewis has named Andrew Murphy as its new director, retail operations.

Murphy will be responsible for all aspects of the retailer’s high street selling operations, reporting to managing director Andy Street. He will take up the Board-level position on March 29.

Murphy’s current role is director, operational development, which he has held since last year. Before that he had a number of roles within branches including managing director of John Lewis Edinburgh and John Lewis Aberdeen, having joined the Partnership in 1992.

Meanwhile, John Lewis retail director Gareth Thomas is to take early retirement next month, after which his responsibilities will revert to two roles: retail operations director and a new directorship.