John Lewis appoints new finance director

John Lewis Partnership has appointed Marisa Cassoni as its new finance director. Cassoni joins the retail group from Royal Mail, filling the most senior position to be filled by an external candidate at John Lewis. Chairman Sir Stuart Hampton said that Cassoni's experience "will be of significant value to the partnership as John Lewis and Waitrose continue to face the rigour of such a competitive sector."

Cassoni, 54, quit Royal Mail last year after five years with the company and a three-year successful turnaround programme. She is a qualified chartered accountant who gained experience as finance director at Britannic Assurance and Prudential's UK division. She is currently a non-executive director of utility group Severn Trent.