John Lewis director of selling operations Dan Knowles is to leave the department store chain at the end of July.

A John Lewis spokeswoman said that Knowles was leaving to pursue other opportunities.

He will be succeeded by David Barford, formerly the managing director of John Lewis Kingston.

The spokeswoman said that Knowles would be working on an undisclosed project for John Lewis managing director Andy Street until his departure.

She denied that the departure was part of a wider restructuring at the retailer and said it was “business as usual”.

Knowles was one of two directors of selling operations, the other being Nat Wakely.

The move follows recent departures at the retailer including marketing director Gill Barr, who was made redundant in April. Buying director for home Maureen Dunn left in March.

In August, John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield ruled out job cuts at the group but said that he would cut back on spending during the tough trading period.