Waitrose appoints Personnel Director

Waitrose has announced the appointment of Ailsa Emerson as Personnel Director, with effect from 19 May 2008.

Ailsa joins the retailer with 25 years HR experience, 15 of these at Board level. She has been HR Director for Lloyds Pharmacy since 2006 and previously held the position Group HR Director for construction business John Laing plc, where she jointly led a significant change management programme. Prior to this she was European HR Director for Brambles Industries - the supply chain and logistics group - and was HR Director with Rover Finance Group for 6 years.

Says Waitrose Managing Director, Mark Price: "As a co-owned business with unique benefits and principles, the loyalty and commitment of Partners is what supports our competitive edge. I'm delighted to welcome Ailsa into this pivotal role during a time of very exciting growth for the Waitrose brand. She joins us with considerable depth and breadth of personnel experience across a variety of sectors, and will add immense value to our business."

Ailsa will sit on the Waitrose Management Board and will oversee a directorate that delivers personnel, occupational health, learning and development support to 40,000 Partners.