John Lewis Partnership has hired one of its former directors, ex-Jigsaw boss Peter Ruis, to run its department store business.
Ruis, who joins as executive director next week, will lead the business “through the next phase of its transformation”, it said.
Most recently CEO at Canadian books and music retailer Indigo, Ruis has also helmed Anthropologie, and is a former buying and brand director at John Lewis, where he worked for eight years before his departure in 2013.
Ruis said: “It’s a great privilege to return to the John Lewis Partnership after 10 years. The John Lewis brand is iconic, loved and trusted by millions of customers across the UK and I’m excited to lead the next phase of the transformation.
“As the biggest employee-owned business in the UK, we have a huge opportunity to make even more of the unique partner difference to provide exceptional products and service for our customers.”
Naomi Simcock, who stepped up as interim executive director for John Lewis last year, moves into the role of operations director for the department store business, leading retail and supply chain.
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John Lewis Partnership CEO Nish Kankiwala said “It’s fantastic to welcome Peter back to the Partnership. He has a deep understanding of customers, brands and product from his 30 year career spanning a variety of major high street and online retailers.
“He also brings a clear and proven passion for the John Lewis brand and the Partnership model, and I have no doubt he will be integral to our future success.”
Simcock, who has led the department store business on an interim basis since Pippa Wicks exited last February, added: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed stepping in to lead John Lewis and working with Partners across the business to deliver the quality, value and service our customers expect.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to be part of the John Lewis Leadership team, supporting our partners and ensuring our department stores and supply chain continue to deliver for our customers.”
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