Waitrose’s Angela Megson has stunned the industry with the news that she is to leave the company after three years as its director of buying.
Megson will continue in her post until January 28 and it is believed that she does not currently have a job lined up.
Sir Stuart Hampson, chairman of parent company the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Angela Megson has told me she wishes to resign from Waitrose. Angela has played a leading role in strengthening Waitrose’s
position. All partners will wish to thank her for that and wish her well for the future.”
Megson took over the role from current managing director Steven Esom. She had spent most of her career at Sainsbury but had left her last role there as e-commerce and business development director six months before joining Waitrose in April 2002. She also held senior buying positions at Sainsbury and worked in fresh food roles at M&S.
Suppliers were surprised to hear of her departure.
Tyrells Potato Chips founder William Chase said: “Angela has been a great ambassador for actively supporting regional producers and has given buyers a refreshing, positive new image.”
Aspall partner Henry Chevallier Guild added: “We have always had a very good relationship with buyers at Waitrose and our products always grow the fastest there. She has done a really great job.”
Phil Clarke, Tesco’s director of distribution, supply chain and logistics, has been appointed as a non-executive director at Whitbread. Clarke, who takes up his role on January 1, has 25 years of experience at Tesco and is responsible for its operations in Central Europe and Asia and for IT across the Tesco group.

Peter Cawdron, deputy chairman and non-executive director of Arla Foods UK, is retiring from the board. Cawdron will step down at the agm on January 24. He was appointed a non-executive director in 1999 and became deputy chairman in 2002.

Diageo has appointed Laurence Danon, chairman of the management board and CEO of France Printemps, to the Diageo board. Danon, who takes up her role on January 1, will be on the audit committee, remuneration committee and nomination committee.
Fiona McLelland
whitbread role
cawdron retires
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