John Lewis & Partners customer director Craig Inglis is stepping down in March after 12 years at the business.

Inglis’ exit comes just weeks after it was revealed John Lewis & Partners managing director Paula Nickolds will also be leaving the department store chain.

During his time at the retailer, Inglis was responsible for introducing its famous Christmas adverts.

He joined the John Lewis team in 2008 as head of brand communications and was promoted to director of marketing in 2010.

Inglis was given the role of customer director in 2015 and two years later was made responsible for the brand’s website, store development and design.

Inglis said: “It has been an honour to work for the John Lewis Partnership with its two extraordinary brands, which I am confident will go on from strength to strength.

“I’ve had an amazing journey over the last 12 years and I feel now is the right time for me to try something new outside the partnership.”

A John Lewis Partnership statement said: “We have announced to partners that Craig Inglis will leave the partnership at the end of March. Craig has decided that having worked for the business for 12 years, latterly as customer director, now is the right time to explore opportunities outside the partnership.”