Sainsbury’s has shuffled responsibilities on its main and operating board which will see finance director Darren Shapland take up a new role to drive new business developments.

Shapland, currently chief financial officer, will become group development director on the main board. This new role will lead on the delivery of future plans and includes responsibility for new business development as well as convenience, Sainsbury’s Bank, property and group strategy.

Mike Coupe, currently trading director, will become group commercial director on the main board, assuming responsibility for marketing in addition to current responsibilities of trading, IT and online.

John Rogers joins the main board as chief financial officer. He is currently property director on the operating board, having previously been director of group finance and director of corporate finance.

Helen Buck has been appointed to the operating board as convenience director, reporting to Shapland. She joined in 2005 and was most recently business unit director, grocery.

David Tyler, chairman, said: “I am delighted to welcome John Rogers to the plc board. He brings a wealth of financial and strategic experience to the plc team and has done an excellent job in the last two years in helping to build one of the retail industry’s biggest property pipelines. His appointment reflects the exceptional pool of talent that Sainsbury’s has developed over the last five years.”

Justin King, chief executive, said: “Sainsbury’s today is a bigger business than it has ever been. The business now serves over 19 million customers weekly and has significant growth opportunities by accelerating our space expansion, growing the non food business and developing new channels for our customers. Both Darren and Mike have made major contributions to our performance over recent years and their new roles will be vital in delivering the next stage of our growth strategy. John has been a key member of both our financial and operational teams and I am sure he will make a great contribution to the plc board.

“Helen inherits a convenience business which is in great shape and is one of the exciting areas of growth for the company. She is a highly driven and successful operator and will bring even more energy to the convenience team and its expansion plans.”

Sainsbury’s former convenience boss Dido Harding left last year to join TalkTalk as chief executive.

The changes come into effect on July 19.

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