Thomas promoted to Waitrose commercial director

Waitrose marketing director Rupert Thomas has been promoted to commercial director to replace Mark Williamson who will retire in January.

Thomas, who has worked across the company including in fruit buying, will take on the role from February 2017. His replacement will be announced at a later date, Waitrose said.

Williamson joined Waitrose in 2004 and has been on the management board for 10 years. He will continue as chair of the Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate, a role he took up earlier this year.

Managing director Rob Collins said: “Mark has done a fantastic job and achieved great things on the commercial front; he’s been a valued board colleague, bringing wisdom and experience to our work. I'm delighted that he continues as chairman of Leckford so that we will still benefit from his contribution to our business.

“Rupert, our very successful marketing director, also has strong commercial experience. He joined Waitrose in 2003 having spent over ten years in various commercial and marketing roles; his first job with us was heading our Grocery and Fruit buying teams. He is the ideal candidate to pick up the baton from Mark and I wish them both well for the future.”