John Lewis retail director Mark Lewis quits to lead Moneysupermarket.com

Lewis will remain with the department store chain through the crucial Christmas trading period, before taking up his new role on or before May 4 next year.

News of his move was revealed just two days after Paula Nickolds was named as John Lewis’s new managing director, succeeding the outgoing Andy Street.

Retail Week understands that Lewis’s decision to depart is not linked to Nickolds’ appointment.

John Lewis said a successor to Lewis would be appointed “in due course”.

Moneysupermarket.com began recruiting for the chief executive role in August when current boss Peter Plumb announced that he was stepping down.

Lewis joined John Lewis as online director in March 2013 and has been responsible for both store and ecommerce operations since 2015.

Prior to his move to John Lewis, he served as chief executive of Collect+ and UK managing director and European director of marketplaces at eBay.

Lewis said: “I have loved my four years at John Lewis. I am very proud of everything we have achieved.

“It has been my privilege to work with a winning team, which I know will continue to successfully define the future of omnichannel retailing.”

John Lewis boss Street added: “I would like to thank Mark for the part he has played in our success over the past four years.

“He has guided the online business brilliantly, has strengthened our talent in this area, and as retail director has been instrumental in bringing our two trading channels together.”