John Lewis appoints Paula Nickolds as Brand Director

Paula has worked closely with Andy and Peter as a key driver of change and transformation in the assortment and marketing in recent years and will succeed Peter in the role on 1 September. Paula joined the business as a graduate trainee and has been progressively promoted through the company to her most recent role as buying director, home.

Andy Street, managing director, John Lewis, said: 'I am delighted that Paula will be joining the John Lewis Management Board as buying & 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.

'I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Ruis for nine years of outstanding contribution. Peter has revolutionised our fashion, home and technology offer and led our marketing team to its first ever Cannes Lion win. We will all be sad to see him go and wish him the very best of luck for his new role.'

Paula Nickolds said: '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.'

Paula 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.

Peter 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.'

John Lewis