Sainsbury’s general merchandise boss Paula Nickolds is leaving the grocer to become CEO of The White Company, as it restructures its operating board.
Nickolds, the former boss of John Lewis, will take the helm of The White Company in April after two and half years at the supermarket.
Sainsbury’s said: “Over the past three years, Paula has led much progress across our Brands that Deliver strategy, making Argos Habitat and Tu considerably stronger and more competitive than pre-pandemic and she leave a strong team in place”.
Sainsbury’s chief transformation officer Graham Biggart will take on Nickolds’ responsibilities alongside his existing role, becoming chief transformation and general merchandise commercial officer.
Matt Leeser, currently business unit director for seasonal, toys and electricals, has been promoted to general merchandise commercial director, reporting into Biggart.
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Meanwhile, food commercial director Rhian Bartlett has been promoted to chief food commercial officer, charged with leading the grocer’s ongoing acceleration of its ‘Food First’ strategy.
Sainsbury’s added that Tim Fallowfield has decided to retire from his role as company secretary and corporate services director in July, after over 22 years at the grocer.
The retailer also said it would be winding down its banking and financial services arm following the completion of a strategic review.
The financial Services products it offes in the future will be provided by third-party providers through a distributed model, which it said will result in “a phased withdrawal” from its core banking business.
As a result, Sainsbury’s Bank chief executive Jim Brown is set to retire, with Robert Mulhall named as his successor, joining from Allied Irish Bank.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said: “As we look ahead to the next phase of our strategy, I’m pleased to confirm this new structure for our operating board, which will help us become even more focused and further accelerate our transformation and performance.”
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