This week, Connolly was named as Dixons Carphone’s new chief commercial officer, bringing to an end a 15-year career with the John Lewis and Waitrose owner.

For the past two years, Connolly has worked as JLP’s director of partnership strategy – an influential role at a time of significant introspection that culminated in the decision to merge the two businesses in an effort to shore up falling sales and profits.

The strategy, it should be noted, has not been met with universal support by industry observers. Indeed, new chair Sharon White has hinted that she may make some adjustments to the ‘future partnership’ structure in order to retain the distinctiveness of the Waitrose and John Lewis brands.