Role created in board restructure
John Lewis Partnership development director Mark Price has been promoted to the new role of managing director, partnership development, as part of a restructuring of the retailer's board.

He will take on new executive responsibilities and stand in as necessary for Charlie Mayfield, who takes over as chairman of the retailer next month.

David Barclay was named the partnership's first independent non-executive deputy chairman as part of the changes instigated by Mayfield, effectively splitting the executive and non-executive responsibilities.

To Price's brief of development, IT and long-term strategy will be added that of lead director of the Partnership's crisis management team and executive to Mayfield. Mayfield said: 'Mark's experience equips him well to carry out these extended responsibilities and work with me alongside the senior team to provide a strong and coherent leadership for the Partnership's commercial direction.'

Barclay will focus on corporate governance.

All the roles become effective from March 26.

* Sales at John Lewis department stores 4.6 per cent to£44.65 million in the week to February 24. Waitrose's sales were 7.1 per cent ahead to£71.11 million.