Jessops hires commercial director

Specialist photographic retailer Jessops has appointed Robin Whitbread as commercial director.

Whitbread, a non-executive director at the company, has 32 years experience in supermarket retailing. He spent 11 years on the main board at Sainsbury’s before joining Somerfield, where he was buying director and then marketing and buying director. He has also been the managing director of discount supermarket chain Kwik Save.

At Jessops, Whitbread will be responsible for day-to-day commercial operations, including stores, buying, marketing and developing and printing.

Jessops chairman Gavin Simonds said: ‘We know that he understands the business and can hit the ground running.’

Whitbread will start on July 3 and will continue to sit on the board. The group said it will begin the search for a replacement non-executive in due course.