Hampson steps down after 14 years
John Lewis Partnership chairman Sir Stuart Hampson will retire next March after 14 years.

He will be replaced by John Lewis managing director Charlie Mayfield.

Hampson became JLP's fourth chairman in 1993. He joined the company in 1982, was appointed to the board as director of research and expansion in 1986 and added deputy chairman to his responsibilities in 1989.

Mayfield joined JLP in 2000 and has sat on the board for five years, three of them as development director.

Mayfield will continue to run the department store chain until a successor is appointed. He will assume the role of deputy chairman in February and becomes chairman on March 27.

Hampson said: 'We are announcing a clear succession plan to ensure that the partnership can progress with new leadership in a smooth and efficient way.'

Mayfield said: 'It is a great honour and a challenge to be asked to be the chairman of the partnership and I'm looking forward to taking up the role.

'Sir Stuart's contribution to the partnership has been immense. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his inspirational leadership over many years.'

JLP deputy chairman and director of corporate responsibility Alastair McKay will retire in February.

John Lewis department stores continued to do no wrong in the run-up to Christmas, delivering record-beating sales figures week-on-week.

Sales increased 8.4 per cent to£91.1 million for the week ending December 9, against the same period last year, beating the company's previous best by£6 million.

JLP has 26 John Lewis department stores and 184 Waitrose supermarkets.