Waitrose’s Mark Williamson to retire
Waitrose commercial director Mark Williamson is to retire at the end of January 2017.
Williamson joined Waitrose in 2004 and has been on its management board for 10 years. Following his retirement, he will continue as chair of Waitrose’s farm, the Leckford Estate, after taking up the role earlier this year.
Rob Collins, Waitrose managing director, 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.”
Williamson will be succeeded as commercial director by Waitrose marketing director Rupert Thomas, who will move into the role from February 2017. The supermarket said it will announce Thomas’s replacement at a later date.
Collins added: “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.”
