John Lewis appoints Royal Mail's Martin Gafsen as new property boss

(Sharecast News) - John Lewis said on Friday that it has appointed Martin Gafsen - currently interim corporate finance director at Royal Mail - as its new property and facilities director. He will be charged with the strategy and management of the partnership's property portfolio.

Gafsen will join the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) on 13 November as the new director of property, reporting into executive director of finance, Bérangère Michel.

He was property and facilities director for the Royal Mail Group for 16 years, leading the strategy for its nationwide freehold and leasehold estate, including facilities management, construction and development.

Gafsen was Royal Mail's investment director for the five years previous, responsible for appraisals and recommendations of all major group investment projects, as well as leading the mergers and acquisitions team.

He said: "It's a great privilege to join the partnership, home to two of the UK's most loved brands. With an extensive and valuable property portfolio, we have an important role to play in ensuring it continues delivering value for the long-term benefit of customers and Partners for generations to come."