New West End Company has named John Lewis’s retail director and House of Fraser’s chief operating officer as among a group of industry heavyweights to join its board.

The company, which represents the interests of retailers in central London, has named the seven new board members as John Lewis retail director Andrew Murphy; Austin Reed chief executive Nick Hollingworth; Aurum Holdings chief executive Brian Duffy; Tiffany & Co managing director of the UK and Ireland Barratt West; House of Fraser chief operating officer Peter Gross; Longchamp UK general manager Paul Lorraine and Andrew Caplan, director of stores, south, at Boots UK.

The retail leaders will oversee New West End Company’s strategy as the area continues to see investment projects such as Crossrail and major regeneration schemes over the next decade.

As part of the changes, Steve Rowe, executive director of food, Marks & Spencer, former House of Fraser boss John King and John Lewis director of the pensions benefit review Nat Wakely have left the board.

Chairman of New West End Company Peter Rogers said:  “Our strengthened board will drive policy influence at all levels of government and provide an even greater international network to the retail and property sector.”