Sodexo UK & Ireland CFO named FD of John Lewis

John Lewis has appointed Rachel Osborne as its new finance director, the UK department store group announced on Wednesday.

Osborne will take up the position on 11 July, joining the retailer from French catering giant Sodexo where she has been chief finance officer for the UK and Ireland. Prior to this, she held a number of senior finance roles for Kingfisher.

“Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge and has spent significant time in the retail sector. Her many years of experience as an operational finance director make her well placed to contribute to the ambitious plans we have for developing John Lewis,” said Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis.

The John Lewis Partnership, which owns John Lewis and Waitrose, has an annual turnover of nearly £8.2bn and reported an operating profit of £431m for 2010.