John Lewis appoints Peter Cross to top communications role
John Lewis has appointed Portas managing partner Peter Cross as its director, communications. Cross will take up his new position in June and will succeed Helen Dickinson who retires from the department store in April.
Cross will report directly to John Lewis managing director Andy Street. Commenting on the appointment, Street said: “Peter inherits an award-winning and highly effective communications team which has been developed under the excellent leadership of Helen Dickinson.
“Peter brings a unique mix of skills and unparalled experience to John Lewis. It is extremely rare to find a communication specialist with such a broad understanding of the UK consumer and the revolution underway on the British high street. We are looking forward to him joining us immensely.”
Cross added: “To be asked to lead the communications challenge at John Lewis is a great privilege. I’ve watched the extraordinary rise and rise of Britain’s favourite retailer over the last few years and am looking forward to helping Andy achieve the brand’s bullish ambitions over the next few years.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!While at Portas, Cross delivered campaigns for a number of high profile brands including Westfield, Louis Vuitton, Clarks and Mercedes Benz. He also worked alongside Mary Portas, playing a key role in developing her fashion collection for House of Fraser and her charity stores for Save the Children.
Portas said: “It has been nine incredibly successful years of exhilarating collaboration. I am naturally sorry to lose him but know his creativity and passion will be an enviable asset to a brand we already all recognise as one of Britain’s greatest retail success stories.”
