Morrisons marketing director Richard Lancaster has stood down amid a reshuffle of its commercial division.

Grocery director Nick Collard replaces Lancaster, as marketing and operations director.

Collard joined the grocer last year from Boots, where he was brand director.

Lancaster succeeded Angus Maciver as marketing director in January 2011 after his predecessor had transformed the grocer under former chief executive Marc Bolland.

Lancaster leaves the retailer to “pursue an opportunity outside Morrisons”, the grocer said.

Collard’s new position includes responsibility for advertising, merchandising, pricing and promotions. He will report in to group commercial director.

Group human resources director Norman Pickavance said Collard has a “great record in his first 15 months at Morrison and is a highly rated marketeer. He’s one of our rising stars”.

Morrisons non-food director Mike Snell will take up a new role heading up all non-food apart from clothing adding health and beauty, petrol, home and leisure, household and dry cleaning to his remit.

Last month, Retail-Week.com revealed Tim Bettley has been appointed the retailer’s first commercial director for clothing.

Commercial director for ambient and frozen Lisa Miao will now assume responsiblity for grocery, beers, wines and spiritis, impulse and frozen. Jamie Winter takes up the role of commercial director for chilled.