Sainsbury’s has unveiled a new structure for its operating board as its GM boss, ex-John Lewis chief Paula Nickolds steps down.
The restructure will help the supermarket to “become even more focused and further accelerate our transformation and performance”, CEO Simon Roberts said.
Chief transformation officer Graham Biggart will take on Nickolds’ commerical responsibility for general merchandise and clothing across Sainsbury’s and Argos, with the new title of chief transformation and general merchandise commercial officer.
Nickolds leaves to become CEO of fashion and homewares chain The White Company.
Current business unit director for seasonal, toys and electricals Matt Leeser will step into an expanded role to become general merchanside commercial director, reporting into Biggart.
As part of the changes, food commercial director Rhian Bartlett will become chief food commercial officer as the grocer continues to push ahead with its ‘Food First’ strategy.
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Sainsbury’s has also completed a strategic review of its financial services division, which will lead to a “phased withdrawal” of its core banking business.
Financial services that Sainsbury’s will continue to offer in the future will be provided by dedicated providers through a distributed model.
Roberts said: “It’s business as usual for now at Sainsbury’s Bank and there will be no immediate changes to products and services as a result of today’s announcement. We will of course communicate directly to customers well in advance of any changes to their products and services.”
It comes as Sainsbury’s Bank chief executive Jim Brown is retiring after five years at the business, with former Allied Irish Bank UK CEO Robert Mulhall taking over the role at the end of March.
Meanwhile, company secretary and corporate service director Tim Fallowfield will retire from the supermarket this July after more than 22 years.
