John Lewis turns to Royal Mail for new property director Martin Gafsen

John Lewis Partnership has appointed a property chief from Royal Mail to lead Dame Sharon White’s plan to push into the rental housing market.

The mutual, which runs the department store chain and Waitrose supermarket business, said that Martin Gafsen will become its new director of property from November 15.

He will succeed Chris Harris, who unexpectedly stepped down in June after more than five years “to explore new opportunities outside the partnership”.

Harris, previously head of property at Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia empire, struck last year’s £500 million deal between John Lewis and Abrdn, the fund manager, to build 1,000 rental homes, a plan promoted by White, the outgoing chairwoman.

John Lewis ultimately hopes to build up to 10,000 — a key part of