Waitrose managing director James Bailey will leave his role next month after more than five and a half years at the helm.

Bailey, who is stepping down at the end of September, joined the John Lewis Partnership-owned business in 2020 and has helped to steer the grocer through the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

He will be succeeded by Waitrose’s retail director Tina Mitchell on an interim basis, until a permanent successor has been found.

The Partnership said it had begun the recruitment process and will provide an update in due course.

Commenting on his departure, Bailey said: “It’s been a great privilege to lead this unique and special business and most especially to get to know all the Partners who make it what it is.

“I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved together; it’s been a lot of hard work but very rewarding and I’m so happy now to see the business thriving.”

He added: “Waitrose is back on a very strong footing with record customer numbers, strong sales growth and a turnaround in profitability so after five and a half years this feels like the right time to hand over the reins.”

John Lewis Partnership chair Jason Tarry said: “James has done an outstanding job, overseeing significant transformation and growth during a period of change. He’s a great colleague and has been a highly valued member of the executive team.

“We will be sad to see James go but understand and respect his decision to step down after five and a half years at the helm. James will leave Waitrose in a much stronger position and I know will be missed by everyone,” he added.

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter