John Lewis appoints Glasgow store head

JOHN Lewis has appointed a new managing director for its Glasgow department store to take over from Lesley Ballantyne, who has been promoted to director of operational development at the retailer's head office in London.

Kim Lowe, currently general manager of John Lewis in Aberdeen, will take up her new role at the Buchanan Galleries branch on 27 June. She will be responsible for heading up all aspects of store operations, including leadership of its 650 staff "partners".

Lowe, 46, joined the group 27 years ago as a sales assistant. She has held a variety of posts within the company over the years, including assistant general manager and operations manager in Aberdeen, prior to her appointment as general manager in December 2006.