Waitrose has appointed former John Lewis and BskyB director Ben Stimson as its new retail services director.

Stimson, who joined earlier this week, replaced Graham Heald who left the grocer earlier this month to join Homebase.  

Stimson was head of retail operations for Waitrose branches in the South East for a year and will now hold responsibility for departments including store improvement, retail development, customer sales and operational support in his new role.
He previously worked in the retailer’s sister company John Lewis as managing director of John Lewis Leicester since 2010.  

Prior to joining the John Lewis Partnership he worked at BSkyB as director of responsibility and reputation.
The role will report in to retail director Rob Collins. Collins said: “Ben brings a wealth of valuable experience from different sectors - we’re looking forward to him starting his new role.”