Waitrose MD to take non-exec role
Carphone Warehouse today appointed Waitrose managing director Steven Esom to its board as a non-executive director.

Esom, 44, has been managing director of John Lewis's supermarket division since 2002, prior to which he spent six years as director of buying. Before joining Waitrose, he spent most of his career in buying roles with Sainsbury's.

Waitrose has been one of the few success stories on the high street this year. Last week it reported sales up 18 per cent to£1.6 billion, with profits up 17 per cent to£107 million.

'Over the past 10 years, Steven has played a significant role in developing Waitrose into a very strong, differentiated player in the UK grocery market,' said Carphone Warehouse chief executive officer Charles Dunstone.

Esom said Carphone Warehouse is 'an organisation which shares many of the values of the John Lewis Partnership - particularly its focus on customer service and its determination to invest for the long-term.'

Dunstone added that Carphone Warehouse is seeking a further non-executive to join the board.