The retailer confirmed former Sainsbury’s grocery buying director James Bailey as the next boss of Waitrose this morning, following a story that broke yesterday from Sky News.

Bailey’s replaces former Waitrose managing director Rob Collins who stood down from the role as part of the John Lewis Partnership’s restructuring last year.

The new Waitrose boss worked for Sainsbury’s for 18 years, most recently as its grocery buying director. Bailey left the business last year and has worked since as an adviser and non-executive director for several companies.