John Lewis Partnership has hired Lloyds Banking Group’s retail head as its group finance director.

Helen Weir, currently chief executive of the bank’s retail division, was previously group finance director at Kingfisher.

Weir will take over from Marisa Cassoni, who revealed her plan to retire last September.

She joins the partnership on April 1 and will formally assume the role in June following a handover with Cassoni.

Weir has previously held a number of non-executive directorships, including Royal Mail and is currently a non-executive director of SAB Miller.

John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield said: Helen brings a wealth of both finance and retail experience and expertise and will be a great successor to Marisa, who has made an enormous contribution to the Partnership over the last six years.”

Weir said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the partnership at this stage in its development. It is a superb business with great brands and fantastic people.”