PAULA Nickolds has been appointed managing director of John Lewis, becoming the first woman in the role in the department store chain’s 152-year history.

Nickolds has been promoted from her current role as commercial director and replaces long-serving boss Andy Street, who stepped down after joining the West Midlands mayoral race on a Conservative Party ticket. Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “At a time of transformation in the retail sector, Paula’s progressive and dynamic leadership is just what’s needed for the next phase of modern retailing.”


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